Nepal Police Club and Himalayan Sherpa Club recorded wins in the Lalit Memorial U-18 Football Championship at the Anfa complex in Satdobato on Tuesday.

NPC battled to a 1-0 win over Brigade Boys Club (BBC), while Sherpas beat Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) 4-3 in a high-scoring thriller. Rejin Subba struck in the first half injury time to seal the victory for the young departmental team. Subba saw goalkeeper Prince Shrestha off his line and  lobbed the ball over his head and into the goal. 

Earlier in the first game, Abinash Tamang struck a hat-trick but the Sherpas almost squandered a two-goal cushion to beat JYC, who played with black armband to mourn the death of its General Secretary Manmohan KC. KC passed away two weeks earlier. A minute of silence was also observed before the match to mourn his death. 

Tamang gave Sherpas the 18th minute lead before adding the second in the 25th minute. Aruj Singh pulled on back for JYC in the 31st minute only for Rahul Gurung to make it 3-1 six minutes later. JYC reduced the deficit when Aruj scored yet again in the 62nd minute. Aruj scored both the goals through penalty spot after Sherpas skipper Diwash Urau made the errors on both the occasions.

In a remarkable turn around JYC drew level in the 89th minute from a Rabin Kumar Tamang goal. But their battling comeback went in vain as Abinash scored the winner and his third goal two minutes into the injury time. Himalayan Sherpa coach Subash Limbu said: “I am happy with the performance but have to improve in midfield play.” 

Jawalakhel coach Naresh Thapa blamed both the goalkeeper and his defence for the lack of proper coordination that resulted in conceding all three first half goals.