Sankata shoots Jhapa out for semifinal spot

Published On: October 27, 2016 08:09 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

A player of Jhapa XI (blue) in action against Sankata Club during their match of the 12th Tuborg Bikash Running Shield football tournament in Narayangadh on Wednesday. Photo: Republica

CHITWAN, Oct 26: Sankata Club has reached the semifinals of the ongoing 12th Tuborg Bikash Running Shield beating Jhapa-XI 3-1 on penalties on Wednesday. The last quarterfinal match of the tournament held at Campachaur, Narayangadh, went down to wires after both side netted two goals each in the regular 90 minutes.

Before crashing out from the tournament, three out of four players of Jhapa failed to convert penalties while Sankata’s initial three penalties were converted into goals.
Raj Kumar Limbu who came to take Jhapa’s first penalty, gave a worst start to his team as he shot wide. Asim Jung Karki stepped in to take Sankata’s first penalty and made no mistake to find the target.

Jhapa’s second penalty taker Om Bikram Ghale and Sankata’s Nirajan Khadka both netted their second penalty. Jhapa’s third penalty was wasted as Sankata goalkeeper Binay Shrestha made brilliant save to deny Pushpa Maden. Biswa Adhikari stepped in to take Sankata’s third penalty and converted it to make it 3-1. Jhapa’s Ganesh Hemrun hit the post for the fourth penalty. Sankata didn’t need to take another shot as it was already leading by 3-1 which was enough to seal victory.

Earlier, Sankata had taken the lead in the 31st minute from African recruit Victor Amobi. Biswa Adhikari extended Sankata’s lead a minute later. Jhapa-XI which was under pressure after trailing down by two goals cut the deficit in the second half as Sanuka Limbu netted a goal in the 55th minute.

Sanuka scored his personal second goal in the 67th minute to rekindle hopes of Jhapa-XI making the scoreline 2-2. Both sides fail add other goals in the rest of the game, dragging the match to the penalty shootout.

Asim of the winning side Sankata was declared the man-of-the-match and was handed Rs 10,000. With Sankata registering a win on Wednesday, the semifinal lineup up of the tournament has been completed. Manang Marsyangdi, Morang Football Club and Tribhuvan Army Club are the other clubs beside Sankata cement their spots in the last four. Army and Morang will vie in the first semifinal clash of the tournament on Thursday.