Chyasal Youth Club cruised to the quarter-finals of Lalit Memorial U-18 Championship as Group ‘A’ winners after a 2-1 win over Saraswoti Youth Club at the Anfa grounds on Tuesday. 

The last match of pool had big significant for both the Lalitpur-based teams. A draw would have sufficient for Chyasal to qualify for the quarter-finals while Saraswoti needed an outright win advance to the next round. Chyasal finished with seven points from three matches, one point ahead of Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club. Saraswoti crashed out after just three points, while Jhapa were already sent packing from the group. Chyasal will meet Friends Club and APF will be up against Tribhuvan Army Club in the in the quarter-final. 

Chyasal netted both goals in the first half. Krishna Bolan put them ahead in the 21st minute and Sujan Shrestha doubled their lead one minute before break. Om Prakash Singh pulled one back for Saraswati in the 54th minute but that was as close as they came in the game. Chyasal coach Thaman Bhusal said his team still had rooms to improve in the knockout stages. “We have to improve on defence if we are to put on a competitive performance in the quarter-finals,” said Bhusal. 

In an inconsequential Group ‘B’ match, Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) and Far Western FC played out a 1-1 draw. MMC looked on course to record first win in the tournament after taking 38th minute lead through Dihraj Sunar. But Ram   conceded an own goal in the hour mark as the game ended in a dour stalemate. Tribhuvan Army Club and Friends have already qualified as winners and runners-up from the group.