KATHMANDU, May 10: Jawalakhel Youth Club has reached the final of the fourth edition of Nepal Ice Sindhu Cup Football Tournament defeating the host team Youth Sports Club in the second semifinal match played at Basantpur Ground in Sindhupalchowk on Thursday.
Jawalakhel won the match in the penalty shoot-out after the match ended 2-2. Bishal Tamang, Sujit Budhathoki, Aruj Singh and Danil Beje scored in the tie-breaker to help Jawalakhel win 4-2 in the spot-kicks. Host team’s Biam Kuthu and Sanjiv Lama missed to convert their shots as winning team’s goalkeeper Arun Tamang held his nerves to help his team book place in the final.
10-men Jawalakhel holds nerve to win Sindhu Cup
Jawalakhel’s overseas player Fode Fofana started the goal-scoring spree in the 25th minute to give his team the first lead in the match. Budhathoki accomplished the assist.
Local team Youth Sports then made an emphatic come-back in the match scoring two goals in the space of five minutes after the half-time break.
Suresh Khatri registered a brace for the home team scoring a penalty in the 55th minute and a well-disguised chipped goal on the one hour mark to give his team Youth Sports 2-1 advantage in the match with half hour of the normal time to go.
However, Jawalakhel’s Gautam Shrestha headed a goal in the 82nd minute to take the match to spot-kicks and eventually seal the win. Budhathoki architected his second assist of the match. Khatri was adjudged player of the match and received a cash prize of Rs 5,000.
Jawalakhel will face Gorkha Boys Club in the final of the tournament which will be played on Saturday. The champion is set to receive Rs 500,000 whereas the runner-up will bag Rs 250,000.
