KATHMANDU, DEC 21 - Goalkeeper Asmita Khawas blocked two penalty kicks as Nepal’s Kathmandu-XI defeated Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education (ITE) in a sudden death penalty shootout to lift the International Women’s Invitational Cup played at Dashrath Stadium.
The match, with several fluctuations throughout, was extended to penalty shoot-out after both the teams
were tied at 1-1 draw in the regulation as well as the added extra time. Both the teams were tied even in the penalty shoot-out before Sukra Rai converted the sudden death penalty to script a successful history in Nepali women’s football.
Goalkeeper Asmita punched a high ball from Singapore Abirami and then captain Kavita Gurung found the net to put Kathmandu-XI 1-0 in the tiebreaker. Singapore’s Sri Arnina skied the second chance but tournament’s highest scorer Anu Lama fired the ball wide squandering a great advantage. Goalscorer Faralyana put pressure on Kathmandu making it 1-1 but Asmita Manandhar put them at back foot striking a superb goal to make it 2-1. Nepal squandered their lead when Singapore Nur Hidaya converted the spot kick and Manu Subba kicked the ball wide bringing the count at level.
Mira Maharjan OF Kathmandu XI needed a goal for the crown after Asmita saved a shot from Nadya but Maharjan also missed the target as the match progressed to the sudden death penalty. Hafizah was off the target and Nepal’s Sukra Rai beat goalkeeper Nur Fadhilah to stop all the actions at Dashrath Stadium.
Earlier, Anu Lama gave Kathmandu-XI a precious lead in the 35th minute to apply psychological pressure
upon Singapore. The Singaporeans had defeated Nepal 4-2 in the league-phase. Jamuna Gurung released an ideal ball to unmarked Lama at the centre and equally brilliant Lama did not let the chance go in vain.
Even leading by a goal, Kathmandu-XI pressed hard in the second half but Faralyana extended the match to tiebreaker in the dying moments of the 80-minute match. However the goal was largely the mistake of Nepali goalie Khawas who failed to gather a mistimed shot from Faralyana.
Kathmandu-XI posted two major threats in the added extra time but at both times Singapore goalie saved the ball with brilliance. Likewise, Singapore also threatened once in search of a golden goal but their forward hit the ball wide.Posted on: 2003-12-22 04:26

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