JHAPA, Nov 28: Host Kakarbhitta Football Training Center advanced into the semifinals in the ongoing Kakarbhitta Gold Cup Football tournament, defeating Himalayan Sherpa Club (HSC) 1-0 on Monday. Kakarbhitta will now face Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) in the last-four match.
Two departmental teams Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) and Nepal Police Club (NPC) will vie against each other in the first semifinal clash on Tuesday.
Nirajan Khakda’s only goal of the match was enough to decide Kakarbhitta’s last-four berth. He scored from a free kick to give his team the win over HSC.
Kakarbhitta were rewarded the free kick when HSC’s African defender Sayed Mogan fouled Aaron just outside the box in the 22nd minute. Nirajan scored the free kick from 22 yards out giving HSC’s goalkeeper Arpan Karki no chance to save it.
Manang to face Tribhuvan Army Club in Kakarbhitta final
Both sets of defenders gave a solid performance in the last quarterfinal match of the tournament. Both teams’ midfield was busy in the competitive match while strikers of both the teams were unable to get a goal as the defenders showed solid performance in the match. Nirajan’s goal was enough to win the match for Kakarbhitta.
HSC could not get back to the game despite playing a passing football. Kakarbhitta’s defenders Florence, Bishnu Sunar, and Saroj Sunar prevented HSC’s strikers to get a goal in the match.
HSC could not utilize four chances they got and could not score a goal. Likewise, HSC’s defense also presented a solid performance and did not let Kakarbhitta’s strikers finish the opportunities they got to score in the match.
Kakarbhitta’s skipper Khamir Gilson Kondogba missed a golden chance to score in the seventh minute of the match. Prakash Budathoki gave a pass to him when he was unmarked but his shot was easily saved by HSC’s goalkeeper. HSC’s defenders again blocked Nishan Limbu’s shot near the post in the 21st minute. Nishan again missed a chance in the 48th minute when he kicked the ball out of the frame.
On the contrary, HSC attacked only once in its opponent’s post in the first half. Tridev Gurung controlled the ball from a pass of Binod Gurung, but Kakarbhitta’s goalie Alan Neupane easily saved his shot. Saujan Rai hit the ball out of the post in the 52nd minute and Bhuwan Basnet could not direct the ball goalwards in the 75th and 77th minutes.
Nirajan, who scored the decisive goal, was declared the man-of-the-match.
