ILAM, April 25: The departmental team Armed Police Force has advanced into the semifinals of the ongoing fourth International Invitational Tuborg Mai Valley Gold Cup football tournament with a 2-1 win over the defending champion Jhapa XI on Tuesday.
After the first half ended in a goalless draw, Nabin Lama gave Armed Police a lead in the 54th minute as he scored from near the danger area. But Armed Police could not protect its lead for much longer as Jhapa equalized inside two minutes through Bhushan Subba. Subba scored a beautiful goal from near the post converting a long pass.
Armed Police’s Yuvraj Khadka scored his team’s second goal in the 65th minute as he utilized a pass from Lama to upset Jhapa.
Armed Police Force into Mai Valley quarters
Armed Police kept Jhapa under pressure throughout the match and Jhapa missed a lot of chances that led to its loss. Jhapa’s Khamir Gilson Kandangwa’s strong shot was saved by Armed Police goalkeeper Raju Nagarkoti in the first half, while Niraj Basnet’s shot gazed just over the bar by Nagarkoti again. Jhapa instantly got another chance as Karna Limbu’s strong effort was saved by Nagarkoti again.
Armed Police also got some chances in both the halves as Shyam Nepali’s header was out of the frame of the goal in the first half.
In the second half, Jhapa’s Hemant Thapa Magar hit a poor free kick, while Nepal’s strong shot was brilliantly saved by Jhapa goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong.
Armed Police captain Nabin Lama was named the man-of-the-match and was rewarded a cash prize of Rs 10,000.
Armed Police has become successful in taking revenge against Jhapa as the departmental side had lost in the second edition of the tournament 2-0. Jhapa also had defeated Armed Police 1-0 in the semifinals of the third edition.
Armed Police will now take on the winner of Thursday’s fourth quarterfinal match between the other departmental team Tribhuvan Army Club and Ruslan Three Star Club on Saturday. The other departmental side Tribhuvan Army Club will face India’s Sikkim United Club in the third last eight match on Wednesday.
