Jawalakhel´s third straight win over RCT in the current season also confirmed its meeting with arch rival Three Star Club in the quarterfinal to be played on Monday. [break]
RCT had taken the lead in early 16th minute through Amar Dangol, who scored after beating defender Sachindra Dhimal. But the lead could not last for long as Limbu hit back an equalizer in the 32nd minute. Limbu scored in goalie Prem Kumar Tamang´s rebounder off skipper Laxmi Narayan Shrestha´s strike.
Both sides could not score in the regulation time, leaving the fate to be decided in the added 30 minutes. Limbu succeeded to hit the winner in the 20th minute of added time in a pass from Prabin Karki, a replacement of Sachindra Dhimal in the 46th minute. The goal for Jawalakhel came a minute after its African recruit Thomas Wangira was sent off for second bookable offence.
The match remained fairly competitive between Jawalakhel and RCT who were participating for the first time in Aaha Gold Cup. RCT had got three golden opportunities in the 23rd, 37th and 51st minute but failed to utilize them. Olawala O Affez´s strike rebounded off goalie Dinesh Thapa Magar and Amar Dangol squandered scoring opportunity in the resulting rebounder. In the 23rd minute, Afeez yet missed another scoring chance in one-on-one position with the goalie as he shot above the bar.
In the 37th minute, Dangol failed to convert while goalie Magar was already beaten. In the 51st minute, Afeez failed to meet Laxam Ruchal´s pass in the box.
RCT´s coach Madhu Karki said that his side was defeated after it missed three scoring opportunities. "We came under pressure after the boys squandered three opportunities," Karki said adding, "We were confident of victory but there were misunderstandings among our defenders."
Jawalakhel had also created few scoring chances. In the 27th minute, Limbu´s feeble shot from the box went wide. RCT goalie Prem Kumar Tamang punched Bishal Rai´s (Jersey no 9) freekick in the 54th minute.
Jawlakhel´s coach Kishor KC termed the match to be tough and claimed that his team shall win the next match. "I think we can easily win the next match as we defeated RCT today. We need not put as much effort in the next match as we did today. Today´s match was like the final."
KC also said that his ambition of achieving a hat-trick win over RCT was fulfilled. Jawalakakhel had defeated RCT 3-2 in the Martyrs Memorial League and 1-0 in the National League earlier this season.
Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club will lock horns with ANFA U-17 on Friday.
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