DHANGADHI, Feb 29: Himalayan Sherpa Club overcame Gorkha Boys Club in a tie-breaker to secure semifinal berth in the ongoing fourth edition of Nepal Ice Sudur Paschim International Invitational Khaptad Gold Cup football tournament being held in Dhangadhi on Friday.
Himalayan Sherpa scored five against Boys Club’s four in the penalty shoot-out after the regular time ended on a goal-less stalemate.
The A-Division outfit secured a place in final-four during the fourth quarterfinal match played at Dhangadhi Stadium.
Goal-keeper Tekendra Thapa produced a heroic save to deny Sujit Budhathoki to inspire Himalayan Sherpa’s win in the spot-kicks.
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Four others, Hari Kathayat, Anish Tamang, Roop Bahadur Lama and Uttam Gurung, scored for the Boys Club. Similarly, all five penalty takers scored for the Himalayan Sherpa which included Ulrich Siwai, Ashish Gurung, Diwas Urau, Bhisan Gurung and Bikash Rai.
Himalayan Sherpa manager Sushil Tamang stated that not being able to convert all the chances during the normal time cost them an extended outing.
He vowed to improve the club’s performance in the semifinal match.
He is upbeat after striker Bijay Rai who missed the match against Boys Club will return in the playing side. Rai’s inclusion will boost the side’s moral.
Boys Club coach Pradeep Acharya stressed lack of balance in the tactical part among the new and young players as being the main reason of the defeat.
The players were not able to convert all the opportunities.
Himalayan Sherpa will face Three Star Club in the second semifinal match on Sunday whereas home team SudurPaschim XI will face departmental team Armed Police Force Club in the first seminal match on Saturday.
A total of 12 teams participated in the far-western region’s most reputed football tournament.
The winner will receive a cash prize of Rs 2.1 million whereas the first runner-up will bag Rs 1.1 million.
The most valuable player of the tournament will receive a motorbike whereas the best player in different roles will bag Rs 15,000 each.
