KATHMANDU, June 30: Tribhuvan Army Club claimed the maiden title of the Lalit Memorial U-18 Football Tournament beating Jagdamba Lumbini Football Club in tiebreaker at the ANFA Complex, Satdobato on Wednesday.
Departmental team Army defeated Lumbini FC 3-1 on penalties after both the teams settled for a 1-1 draw in regular time of 90 minutes. With the victory, Army also avenged its humiliating 6-0 drubbing at the hands of the same opponent during the group stage.
In the tie-breaker, Dorje Tamang, Prezen Tamang and skipper Abhishek Rijal netted for Army, while Dinesh Henjan and Anosh Magar were denied by Lumbini goalkeeper Sandesh Gurung.
However, only Ranjit Thapa scored for Lumbini. Army goalkeeper Arpan Karki saved shots from Mandeep Thapa and Tejendra Pun while skipper Janom Man Ligal hit outside the post.
During the regular time, Lumbini, which looked dominant in the first half, took an early lead after Janom netted from inside the box in the 6th minute.
Army crowned U-18 football champion
However, Army leveled the score in the 75th minute through spot kick. Prezen converted the penalty that he earned after referee penalized a Lumbini FC player inside the box.
The situation remained tensed for a while as players of Lumbini and Army involved in a scuffle that forced referee Prakash Nath Shrestha to book Army player Anos hMagar and Ashok Thapa of Lumbini with yellow cards.
Lumbini coach Yam Gurung said that his side lost the match due to the poor judgment of the referee.
"The referee made poor decision by awarding Army the penalty opportunity as our players had not committed any mistake. At the same time, the referee also pushed our goalkeeper that created nervousness in our whole team. As a result, we lost our rhythm. Otherwise, our players were playing good game," said Gurung.
Lumbini skipper Janom Man Ligal accepted that conceding the goal after the interval created nervousness in the team despite putting up a good game in the first half.
The overwhelming victory in the group stage had given confidence to Lumbini in the final. Lumbini also took the match under control in the first half and created few scoring chances as well.
Janom, who beat three defenders, failed to execute his shot properly and Army goalkeeper easily grabbed the ball.
Army also created goal scoring chances in the first half but failed to score. Prezen's shot from the edge of the box went directly to Lumbini goalkeeper's hands.
Elated with the victory, Army coach Chakra Tamang said that the title win was the biggest achievement for his side. However, he added that that his team was under pressure against the opponent.
"The result of the league match had put us under pressure in the first half, which was clearly visible. However, we overcame the fear gradually and the goal came through penalty as we put pressure on the opponent," said Tamang.
Meanwhile, Army skipper Abhishek Rijal, who was excited with the win, commented that similar type of tournaments should be organized frequently so that youth players could get enough opportunities.
Winner Army bagged Rs 300,000, while runner-up Lumbini pocketed Rs 150,000.
Similarly, Army's Suman Aryal won the best defender award, while Chakra Tamang won the best coach award.
Lumbini's Janom claimed best forward award and Damodar Thapa Chhetri was adjudged the best midfielder, while Sushil Basnet of CMG Sankata Club won the best goalkeeper award. Each of them received Rs 15,000.
