Jawalakhel enters semifinals

POKHARA, Jan 26: Gorkha Brigade Boys Club of India was sent packing in its very first match after Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club defeated the visiting side 2-0 on Saturday to enter the semifinals of Aaha-Rara Gold Cup Football Tournament being held in Pokhara, Kaski.



Skipper Jaggunath Khadka starred in Jawalakhel´s victory setting up the first goal and scoring the second. Raj Paudel headed home in skipper Khadka´s corner to break the deadlock two minutes after the interval. Khadka then scored with a header in a freekick taken by Suraj Thing to double the lead. Jawalakhel´s Kanya Gurung was declared the man-of-the-match. [break]



In the semifinal Jawalakhel will meet the winner of the match between Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) and Three Star scheduled to be held on Monday.



Both the teams squandered some scoring chances in the entertaining match that saw some heroic saves from Brigade Boys custodian Min Bahadur Chhetri. In the 23rd minute, Diwas Chhetri of Brigade Boys denied Khadka´s shot. In the 27th minute, custodian Chhetri made a brilliant save to prevent Raj Paudel´s powerful strike. During the injury time of first half as well, custodian Chhetri thwarted Juma Benlee´s strike.



Seven minutes into the second half, glovesman Chhetri punched Benlee´s strike to safety. In the 72nd minute Chhetri denied Kanya Gurung in a similar fashion. Two minutes later, Juma´s shot went wide.



Brigade Boys also created some chances but lack of proper finishing cost the team dearly. In the 14th minute, Prem Gurung´s long range shot went off the target. In the 34th minute, Sushil Shah cleared Karun Subba´s shot in Ratin Thapa´s pass. In the 43rd minute, Thapa´s one-touch strike sailed inches above the bar.



Brigade Boys coach Binod Bantawa opined that his team failed to score despite coming up with a good performance. "We came under pressure after conceding a goal in the early second half," Bantawa said, adding, "Despite putting a good show and creating chances we lost due to poor finishing." Gorkha Brigade is the team consisting of Nepali players working for the Indian Army.



Winning team coach Kishor KC said that his side had to wait until the second half to score after some of his players failed to perform up to their potential. "As per the instructions there were improvements in some players´ performance in the second half thus we were able to score."



In Sunday´s match, departmental team Nepal Police Club will lock horns with Nepal Army Club.

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