In another match at the Halchowk Ground, Taiwan Power Company of Chinese Taipei came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Balkan FC of Turkmenistan.[break]
The national champions conceded a goal each in either half for the first defeat against the Pakistani champions in three meeting in last four years.
Police were unfortunate as they failed to utilize three scoring chances during first six minutes. “We were unable to give the finishing despite creating frequent moves,” Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha said.
WAPDA created four moves and succeeded in scoring twice. WAPDA opened the scorebook six minute before interval in a counter attack. Skipper Mehmood Arifi sprinted with the ball freely with only defender Rabin Shrestha and goalie Ritesh Thapa to beat. He did no mistake.
WAPDA killed the match two minutes before the regulation time. Unmarked Jadeed Pathan made a brilliant one-touch finishing in a superb pass from Mehmood.
Police created about half a dozen attractive yet futile moves. Police dominated the show and ball possession in the first half. During the early second minute Ramesh Katuwal’s free header from a close range sailed above the bar. A minute later, striker Jumanu Rai was denied by WAPDA goalie Aziz.
In sixth minute, Bharat Khawas squandered a chance. He beat the goalie on a pass from Yogesh Shrestha but his left-footed shot went wide. Aziz otherwise had a good day saving a few brilliant shots – most notably in 72nd minute from Rai and three minutes later by Katuwal.
“The victory is a blessing as we succeeded to beat Police for the first time in third encounter,” WAPDA coach Khalid Butt said. “We deserved the win and we achieved that.”
Police coach Shrestha said that it was misfortune that his side failed to utilize scoring opportunities. “The opponents utilize chances while we could not,” he said.
Shrestha also criticized his defenders and midfielders. “The midfielders did late in returning back and the defenders were also in parallel line,” Shrestha added.
At the Halchowk ground, Alik Terov had given a 37th minute lead to Balkan FC of Turkmenistan but He Ming Chan of Taiwan Power Company hit back the equalizer in the 68th minute.
NPC will now take on Balkan at the Dasharath Stadium on Friday, while WAPDA lock horns against Taiwan Power Company at the Halchowk.
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