DAMAK, March 6: Ruslan Three Star Club (TSC) has advanced to the quarterfinals of the ongoing third Jhapa Gold Cup Football Tournament with a 1-0 win over Armed Police Force (APF) on Monday, taking revenge against the departmental team of its loss in the 13th Bikash Running Shield held in Chitwan three days ago. APF had beaten TSC 1-0 in the final of the Bikash Running Shield.
TSC’s African player Ajayi Martin scored the decider in the 57th minute to win the match at Dom Lal Stadium, Birtamod. He utilized a pass from Sunil Bal to score the all-important goal when the opposition goalkeeper Amrit Kumar Chaudhary was already beaten.
TSC and APF had plenty of good opportunities to score throughout the match, but both failed to convert it. Bal’s fifth minute strike was punched away by Chaudhary, while Martin could not hit the target just four minutes after Bal’s effort. APF’s Hari Karki’s shot in the 24th minute was cleared from the goal line by TSC goalkeeper Alan Neupane, while Budhha Chemjong’s 41st minute effort could not threaten the APF goalkeeper.
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The second half also provided a series of good chances including a 58th minute effort by Martin that was punched away by Chaudhary, Martin’s strong shot in the 64th minute was pushed away the post by Chaudhary. APF’s Ramesh Dangol’s head near the post went just wide in the 74th minute, while TSC could not double its lead in the 75th minute when TSC captain Nirajan Khadka’s solo effort could not find the net. Also, Martin’s strong shot was brilliantly saved by Chaudhary in the 78th minute.
Similarly, APF’s Roshan Lama’s shot from the danger area went wide of the target in the 85th minute, while Sudip Sikhakar’s header in the injury time went over the bar, which sealed the win for TSC.
Martin was named the man-of-the-match and got Rs 25,000 for his contribution.
Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) will play against Pokhara’s Sahara Club on Tuesday. APF head coach Ratna Kaji Shrestha said that they could not get the result as they were playing continuously in different tournaments. He added that they had to lose the game as they were not familiar with the ground.
TSC head coach Megh Raj KC said that even though they won the match, the result was not on their side due to several missed chances, despite being in form. He added that they could not score despite dominating the game and having 60-40 possession, and that they are not able to perform well in tournaments outside the capital.
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