Earlier in the curtain raiser, an early goal from Shekhar Limbu gave Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) a 1-0 win over Armed Police Force (APF) at the same venue.
Rai scored four goals for Police after Bharat Khawas had opened the scoring in the third minute and Ramesh Katuwal doubled the tally in the 23rd minute.[break]
Rai lashed a powerful shot into the net from near the arch of the box in the 45th minute in a short free-kick pass from Parbat Pandey. Nine minutes into the second half, Rai headed home a low ball from close range in Yogesh Shrestha’s pass for his second goal. He scored another header to complete a hat-trick in the 80th minute, and it was Shrestha again who set Rai up with an acute cross. Rai then killed off the game through penalty after Om Prakash Dhungana was involved in a dangerous collision with Shrestha in the box.
Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha said that the impressive victory was important for his team’s morale boost. “We made an impressive start and the victory will be vital in boosting the morale of the players,” said Shrestha, who aims to defend the title this season. Shrestha rated Manang Marshyangdi Club, Himalayan Sherpa Club and Three Star Club as other strong title contenders.
Police dominated all departments of the game and consistently piled pressure on Boudha. Police scored six goals but also squandered as many scoring opportunities. On the other hand, Boudha failed to create even a single chance.
Boudha coach Kiran Shrestha attributed the defeat to absence of five players from his set. “Five players from the set could not play today, including three foreigners due to ITC (international transfer certificate) problem,” said Shrestha, adding that the defeat was also a lesson for his side.
He vowed to come up with better performances in the matches to come. “Our target is to qualify for the National League,” he said.
Earlier, in a competitive match, Shekhar Limbu beat an advancing APF goalie, Samit Rajbhandari, and directed the ball toward the net in a pass from David Nkang, one of the three Cameroonian players fielded by RCT..
Both the teams created some attractive moves and made attempts on target, but were denied by the goalkeepers on many occasions.
In the 11th minute, Ganesh Lawati’s powerful strike was blocked by RCT goalie Prem Kumar Tamang and Nirajan Malla’s header in the rebound off Tamang sailed above the bar. Lawati was later replaced by Dipak Khadka in the 26th minute after he picked up head injuries during a collision with the goalie. He was rushed to the hospital and had stitches on his head. In the 40th minute, Khadka failed to find the target from close range in a free position.
In the 55th minute, APF custodian Rajbhandari twice made quick saves from Ntolo Ngoumou, the Cameroon player, and Limbu. He again denied Ngoumou in the 63rd minute.
RCT coach Madhu Karki said that he was happy to earn three points from the opening match against a good opponent. RCT has been training in Banepa for the last two months and will stay there during the league. “We had an advantage after scoring the early goal.”
APF manager Prem Kumar Shrestha said that his side failed to play as per expectations. “The boys failed to play to their full potential.”
Adarsha Nepal wins Kanchanpur League
MAHENDRANAGAR: Adarsha Nepal Bhassi clinched the title of Kanchanpur District Red Bull A Division League Football Tournament on Thursday defeating Arniko Yuva Club, Kalika 3-0. Bal Bahadur Tamang was declared the best player of the tournament. The 11-day-long district football tournament featured 12 teams of Kanchanpur.
Saino, Motiram off to winning starts
BIRATNAGAR: Saino Sporting, Motiram Sporting Club and Urlabari Football Club won their respective matches on the opening day of Morang District League Football Tournament on Thursday. In the opener, Saino beat Prabhat Sporting 5-0 with a brace from Amit Adhikari. Kewal Maharjan, Dil Bahadur Magar and Ritesh Thapamagar added one each.
Similarly, a lone goal from Gaurab Subba during the second half gave Motiram a 1-0 win over Mountain Club. In another match, Urlabari eased past Embario Club, Bahuni 3-0. John Subba, Roman Danuwar and Santosh Chaudhary netted one each for Urlabari.
Altogether 21 teams are participating in the district league.
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