Sports
Kakadbhitta Gold Cup: Far West shock Jhapa
Far West XI stunned local side Jhapa XI 5-4 in tiebreaker to send the defending champions packing from their first match of the Kakadbhitta Gold Cup here on Friday.Parbat Portel
Far West XI stunned local side Jhapa XI 5-4 in tiebreaker to send the defending champions packing from their first match of the Kakadbhitta Gold Cup here on Friday.
The match was pushed to tiebreaker after the normal and regulation time ended in a 2-2 stalemate. Narendra Chaudhary, Rakesh Hamal, Chetan Tharu, Binod KC and Philip Tamang all converted for Far West who had their goalkeeper Ananta Sheikh to thank for after the custodian denied Jhapa skipper Narendra Limbu. Yogesh Gurung, Dilen Loktan, Sumin Mainali and Tshering Gurung were on target for Jhapa.
It was third consecutive disappointment for Jhapa, who were also knocked out of the first round in Dudhe Gold Cup and lost to eventual champions Tribhuvan Army Club in the semi-finals of Satashi Gold Cup that concluded on Thursday.
In an entertaining match that saw both sides creating several scoring chances, Far West went ahead just at the stroke of the half time. Bishun Gurung headed home a freekick from Rakesh Hamal in the 45th minute. Jhapa regrouped after the break and soon leveled the scores through their African origin player Ajayi Martins who made an excellent run from the midfield with the ball and scored past Sheikh.
Far West retained the lead in the 81st minute after Chetan Tharu converted a freekick which was awarded after Jhapa’s Sanjog Rai got his hands into the ball. The joy was short-lived for Far West as Jhapa once again leveled three minutes later. And once again it was Martins who struck for Jhapa to push the game to tiebreaker.
Martins scored in a rebound that came off a defender after Bishal Rai had struck powerfully into the bar. Far West coach Suresh Hamal said it was really tough beating Jhapa. On Saturday, Satashi Gold Cup runners-up Manang Marshyangdi Club will take on Rupandehi XI.