E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, JAN 13 - Nabil Three Star Club (NTSC) cruised into final with a 2-1 victory over Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) in the first semi-final of the British Gurkha Cup Football Tournament at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

NTSC took the lead in 74th minutes with a goal from Bijay Gururng. But the lead only sustained for four minutes as Dipak Rai scored a equaliser through a penalty kick in 78th minute. Santosh Sahukhala scored the winning goal in the extra time after the match ended in 1-1 draw in regular 90-minute time.

Both the teams made a lot of attempts to score in an action-packed match. NTSC's Pradip Maharjan's attempt in the sixth minute was saved by RCT goalkeeper Dilip Chhetri. Anjan KC's powerful shot from 30 yard distance was also denied in the 20th minute which came soon after the attempt of Bijay Gurung in 18th minute which went just above the bar.

RCT's Yogesh Gurung also made an unsuccessfull attempt taking the ball past two NTSC defenders thanks to excellent work by NTSC goalie Kiran Chemzong.

Though, a lot of attempts were made in the first half of the match, none of them were converted to goal.

In 67th minute, a header from Sahukhala kissed the net but the flag for offside was up from the assistant referee. Bijay Gurung soon had a chance to score in a one-to-one encounter but could not beat RCT goalie. A minute after Anil Ojha's free kick from 25 yards beat the goalkeeper of RCT but only to find the bar.

After a number of attempts, finally NTSC took the lead in 74th minute when Bijay Gurung headed the free-kick from Anjan KC into the net. But within four minutes RCT managed to equalise through a penalty awarded against the foul by Bikash Singh Chhetri on Dipak Rai inside the penalty area. The penalty was converted to goal by Rai himself. In 94th minutes, a bicycle kick from Bijay Gurung went straight to RCT keeper.

Santosh Sahukhala then scored to secure NTSC's win through a penalty when he was fouled by Raghu Prajapati in the first-half of the extra time.

After the win NTSC's coach Bal Gopal Maharjan said that it was a tough game and his boys played well enough for a win.

"It was bad luck for us, we played a good game but still could not manage to win", RCT's coach Madhu Karki said. He also commented that he was not satisfied with the decisions from the referees. He further added, "RCT is a good team, we don't have any national players and many of our players are injured, still we played well."

The next semi-final will be played between Machhindra Club and Manang Marshyangdi  Club on Thursday.

Posted on: 2010-01-13 09:51

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