KATHMANDU, May 30: Himalayan Sherpa Club (HSC) and Nepal Police Club (NPC) emerged victorious in Lalit Memorial U-18 Championship on Tuesday as they defeated Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) and Brigade Boys Club (BBC) respectively.
Abinash Tamang scored hat-trick to help HSC pull a 4-3 win over JYC in group C match. Similarly, NPC registered a hard fought 1-0 win over the BBC with Rejin Subba scoring the only goal of the match in group D.
In the first match of the day played at the ANFA Complex, Abinash Tamang put HSC in a driving seat scoring the opener in the 18th minute. Manoj Acharya made a brilliant pass through the middle for Abinash before the hat-trick hero grabbing it and slotting in the JYC"s post from the danger zone.
Mixed results for host Jawalakhel
The miscommunication between JYC's midfielder Sanjay Thakuri and goalkeeper Dipesh Shrestha led Abinash extending the lead by 2-0 in 25th minute for HSC. Abinash hijacked the ball when Sanjay attempted the back pass to Dipesh before charging it from the 18-yard.
Six minutes later JYC pulled back a goal to make 2-1 with Aruj Singh scoring the goal from spot. Referee provided penalty to JYC after HSC"s skipper Diwash Urau touched the ball in penalty box. However JYC"s joy couldn't last more than three minutes as HSC extended its lead by 3-1 with defender Rahul Gurung scoring a close range goal in Bikash Pun Magar"s corner kick.
JYC pulled back another goal in the 62nd minute after it was provided second penalty of the match with Aruj successfully converting it again. This time as well HSC"s skipper Diwash Urau was culprit as he pushed scorer Aruj Singh in the danger zone to concede the penalty.
JYC found the equalizer in the 89th minute as defender Rabin Kumar Tamang scoring in the set piece. Rabin utilized the ball coming from Suraj Thakuri"s corner delivery. However, again JYC"s happiness didn't last for more than two minutes with Abinash scoring his third goal of the match. HSC"s winger Man Kumar Limbu cut in with ball from left wing to provide brilliant pass to Abinash which winning side's striker made no mistake to score from the arc of penalty box.
Despite the win over JYC, HSC's coach Subash Limbu said that his team has still room for improvement. “Central midfield couldn't hold the possession effectively and goalkeeper was also too slow today. We have to improve these weaknesses if we want top the group and make into the semifinals,” said coach Limbu.
JYC's coach Naresh Thapa said that his team easily gifted the goals to opponent. “The combination between goalie and defense was too poor which the opponent utilized and scored four goals,” he said.
In the second match of the day, NPC defeated BBC 1-0 to make winning start in the championship. With that Police and CMG Sankata Club have three points each from one/one match in group D. On Wednesday, Rum Pum Jhapa XI will take on Saraswati Youth Club (SYC) in the group A match while Tribhuvan Army Club and Manang Marsyangdi Club will compete in the group B match.
