Boys Union pulled off a 3-2 victory over Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club at the Dasharath Stadium on Saturday while Friends defeated Yeti Himalayan Sherpa Club 2-0. Following the results, all four teams of the group have three points each from two matches. Earlier, Himalayan Sherpa had defeated Boys Union 2-0 and Jawalakhel had beaten Friends 1-0 in their first matches.[break]
Asim Jung Karki scored the winner for Boys Union five minutes before the end of regulation time. Jawalakhel goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu failed to stop Karki"s header from a crowded danger area. Karki headed home in a corner from Kamal Shrestha.
Earlier, Jawalakhel took the lead in the 18th minute of the match. Boys Union goalie Raju Yogi failed to clear a header off Raj Paudel and Umesh Thapa pounced on the opportunity to score from close range.
Ashik Thapa Magar leveled the scores in the 26th minute as he cleverly chipped the ball over an advancing Jawalakhel keeper Kuthu. Binod Lama scored in a free-kick from Asim Jung Karki three minutes later to give a 2-1 lead to Boys Union.
However, Jawalakhel midfielder Pradeep Maharjan scored from the edge of the danger area with a stunning shot in the 34th minute to make it 2-2.
Boys Union coach Bijay Maharjan said that his team failed to live up to expectations despite the victory. ´The win obviously gives a morale boost to the players and increases our chances of qualifying for the next round. However, I"m not satisfied with the way we performed,´ said Maharjan.
Jawalakhel coach Raj Kumar KC said that the fitness problems of players affected their performance.
In the day"s late kick-off, Friends edged past 10-man Yeti Himalayan 2-0. Ritesh Malla scored the first goal in the 27th minute. Himalayan goalkeeper Binay Shrestha blocked Malla"s first shot in a cross from Pukar Ale. However, Malla scored on the rebound to break the deadlock.
Pasang Lama received marching orders from referee Bikash Mahat in the 71st minute following two bookings, leaving Himalayan with only 10 men. Friends took advantage of the situation and Bishnu KC scored in the injury time to seal the match 2-0. KC, who replaced Pukar Ale in the 86th minute, scored with a diving header in a cross from Victor.
Friends coach Megharaj KC said that all the teams in Group D were of the same standard and the quarterfinal race was wide open. ´We are setting up the team. The tournament is to prepare a team for future rather than vie for top position,´ said KC.
Himalayan coach Bikash Gauchan said that his team could not put up a challenge after they were limited to 10 men.
Sunday"s matches
NMB Machhindra Vs Munal @ 14:00 NST
Police Vs Simrik Saraswati @ 16:00 NST
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