Army, Friends' into quarterfinals, Manang crashes out

Published On: June 4, 2017 09:35 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, June 4: Tribhuvan Army Club and Friends' club have advanced to the quarterfinals of the ongoing Lalit Memorial U-18 Football Championship on Sunday.

Army defeated Friends' club 4-0 in the last group B match to become group winner accumulating six points from three matches. Despite facing defeat at the hands of departmental side, Friends' also booked its place in the last eight as group runner-up with four points from three matches.

Meanwhile, Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marsyangdi Club and Farwest FC have crashed out from the tournament. However, the two sides will compete on Tuesday.

In the match played at the ANFA Complex, Kshitiz Raj GT netted a brace for victorious Army while Bishwas Udas and Dinesh Yonjan added one goal each. Kshitiz put Army in the driving seat scoring the opener in 21st minute while produced his second goal in the 29th minute.

Biswas Udas made 3-0 for Army in the 56th minute and Dinesh Yonzon found the net in 81st minute to help departmental side sealing 4-0 comfortable win over Lalitpur based side.

Armed Police Force (APF) 2-1 Rumpum Jhapa XI

Meanwhile another departmental side APF also reached to the quarterfinals of the championship registering its second win in group A which came against Jhapa XI.
Siddhartha Bal and Yang Dorje Thing scored one goal each in APF's 2-1 win over Jhapa XI while Dishanta Rai netted for losing side.

Jhapa XI had taken the lead in the match with Dishanta scoring the opener in the 22nd minute. Jhapa XI couldn't save its lead as APF found the equalizer in the 67th minute with the goal from Siddhartha. Second half substitute Yang Dorje stroked decisive goal in the injury time of second half to help APF's seal important 2-1 victory over Jhapa based outfit.

With the win, APF accumulated with six points from three matches while Jhapa XI has crashed out from the competition with just one point. The other teams in the group-Chyasal Youth Club (CYC) and Saraswoti Youth Club (SYC)-also have chances to make last eight as they have four and three points respectively. These two teams will face each other on Tuesday, where draw will be enough for CYC to book its place in quarter while later side will have to register win.

APF's assistant coach Roman Rasaili said that improved performance from his players in the second half saw his team pulling the important win. “First half was poor but players stepped up in the second half. Lack of defensive awareness in the first half was reason we conceded goal but in the second half we improved defense and pulled two goals,” said Assistant coach Rasaili.

Meanwhile, Jhapa XI's Coach Prabesh Katwal admitted that his players missed many chances in the match. “It was must-win match but players couldn't utilize the chances which eventually cost us today,” said Coach Katwal.

On Monday, Jagadamba Lumbini FC will take on Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) in group C match while CMG Sankata Club and Nepal Police Club (NPC) will compete in group D match.