Morang knock hosts Dharan out

DHARAN, March 22: The hosts Dharan Football Club were stunned 1-0 by Morang Football Association on Tuesday during the opener of 13th Invitational Budhasubba Tuborg Gold Cup Football Tournament that kicked off at Dharan.



This is the first time that hosts crashed out from the first match of the tournament while Morang booked quarterfinal berth. [break]



Skipper Binod Lama of Neighbors Morang headed the lone goal in the 35th minute. Lama brilliantly headed the ball from the box carelessly punched by Dharan goalie Padamhang Limbu off Dipak Karki´s freekick.



Morang will now meet three-time champion Three Star Club, who got direct entry into last eight, in the quarterfinal .



Though the hosts piled up consistent pressure from start to end, they could not materialize their dream of hitting back the equalizer. The hosts made as many as two dozen post attacks but were unable to find the back of net.



Morang goalie Manish Timilsina remained one of the major obstacles in Dharan´s way as he made some attractive saves. In the early seventh minute, Babulal Hasda´s powerful strike from box was denied by the goalie Timilsina and he once again denied Hasda´s in the 33rd minute as well.



A minute later, Dharan again squandered scoring chance when Yalam Rai failed to score in the one-on-one chance with goalie.



In the second half too, Dharan missed several scoring chances. The hosts Morang could make not make remarkable attacks.



Morang custodian Timilsina was declared the man-of-the-match. Along with the trophy he was awarded with a Bird mobile set.



Dharan coach Indra Thapamagar attributed the defeat to lack of coordination among players of his side. "We have brought some players from outside, so there was lack of coordination," Thapamagar said.







Morang skipper Lama said their victory was possible due to brilliant performance of rising players of his side. "We were able to utilize scoring chances," Lama said.

On Tuesday, Jhapa Football Association will play against Himalayan Sherpa Club.



Earlier, Minister for Youth and Sports Barsaman Pun inaugurated the tournament. Speaking on the occasion, Pun expressed commitments to initiate construction of a stadium in Dharan. Meanwhile, singer Rajesh Payal Rai also performed before the match kicked off.

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