CHITWAN, Oct 18: Sahara Club of Pokhara defeated APF 4-0 in the first round of the ongoing 12th Tuborg Bikash Running Shield Knockout Football Tournament on Tuesday. The departmental team couldn't perform up to its mark in the absence of its star players like Anjan Bista, Ranjan Bista in the match held at Campachaur, Narayangadh.
Sahara took the lead in the fifth minute with Sushil Lama's goal while African recruit Sagun Ajitago extended the Pokhara-based club's lead in the 23rd minute to make it 2-0. Shiva Subedi added another goal to make it 3-0 in the 38th minute.
APF, which conceded early goals, created some scoring chances but couldn't produce a single goal as Sahara's goalkeeper Sandesh Gurung denied the players of the departmental team. Shiva netted his personal second goal of the match in the 59th minute to seal a comprehensive 4-0 victory for Sahara. Shiva was declared the man-of-the-match and was awarded with Rs 10,000.
The tournament that is being organized by Bikash Running Shield Committee features a total 15 teams including four from India. This tournament, which started from 2031 BS, is being held for the first time after a gap of many years. The winner of the competition will be awarded a purse of Rs 300,000 while the runner-up will bag Rs 150,000, according to Bikash Running Shield Committee's President Shyam Kumar Piya.
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