Sports
Rupandehi cruise to semis
Rupandehi XI romped to the semi-finals of the Budha Subba Gold Cup football tournament with a 4-1 win over hosts Dharan FC here on Sunday.Pradeep Menyangbo
Rupandehi XI romped to the semi-finals of the Budha Subba Gold Cup football tournament with a 4-1 win over hosts Dharan FC here on Sunday.
Ranjit Dhimal opened the scoring for the hosts early on but goals from Bikram Limbu, Ganesh Khadka, Shiva Shrestha and Victor sealed the match for the visiting Rupandehi team.
The hosts had a dream start when they were awarded a penalty in the 24th minute when Ganesh Khadka handled the ball inside the area. Dhimal stepped in to take the shot which rebounded off the Rupandehi goalkeeper Dillip Chhetri. Dhimal followed up to convert the rebound.
The home team were able to protect their lead until Limbu equalised in the 68th minute with a spectacular freekick. It was the first of the four goals Rupandehi scored in the space of 20 minutes. Khadka then capitalised on a pass from Victor to make it 2-1 in the 79th minute.
Rupandehi further extended their lead when Victor added another goal two minutes later. Victor was positioned at the right place to receive the ball from Deepak Rai. Shrestha added more salts to Dharan’s injury with the fourth foal in the 88th minute. Shrestha was in hand to tap in from close after Dharan custodian Binay Shrestha fumbled a shot from Yogesh Gurung.
Rupandehi coach Dayaram Sapkota said his team was lucky against the misfiring opponent. “Our players panicked especially after conceded a goal. But they gradually took control of the game after the break and eventually cruised to victory,” said Sapkota. Rupandehi will play against the winners of match between Share Club of Kalimpong and Nepal Police Club.
Dharan FC coach Subash KC said his players were physically “burn out” to play a competitive game. “Our players have been playing in various tournaments of late without having time to rest. As a result, they were lazy at the back as well as on the front,” lamented KC.
Defending champions Nepal Armed Police Force Club will play Kaski XI on Monday.
Rawal powers APF into final
BIRATNAGAR: Rajendra Rawal struck a hat-trick to steer Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club into the final of the fourth Kandangwa Gold Cup with a 5-0 hammering of Church Boys Club of Kathmandu on Sunday.
After Rup Kumar Tamang opened the scoring for the departmental team early in the third minute, Rawal stole the limelight with a treble. Rawal scored his first in the 33rd, added second in the 59th and completed the hat-trick in the 68th minute. Sudhir Sikhrakar completed the rout of Church Boys with the fifth goal 11 minutes later. Rupandehi XI will take on Morang XI in the second semi-final of Monday. The championship match is scheduled for Wednesday.