Dharan FC stun APF

SOURCE: REPUBLICA

DHARAN, Feb 4: Hosts Dharan Football Club entered the semifinals of the 12th International Tuborg Budha Subba Gold Cup Invitational Football Tournament on Thursday defeating the Armed Police Force (APF) 3-1.

Dharan FC took the lead in the competitive match with Buddha Chemjong´s goal in the 30th minute. Buddha utilized a pass from Sudeep Limbu and dribbled the ball past defenders and goalkeeper of APF to score the first goal.

Raju Rai doubled the lead in early minutes of the second half. He scored the second goal for the hosts in the 47th minute in a pass set by Buddha.

APF returned a goal in the 61st minute. Jeevan Pandey converted a penalty which they got after Dharan´s Bishnu Sunar was booked for handling the ball in the box.

APF´s joy was short-lived as Buddha sealed the match with another goal a minute later in Raju´s pass. There was a good coordination between Raju and Buddha during the match.

APF had earned three penalty shots but they were able to convert just one. Earlier in the 40th minute too, Bishnu was booked for a hand. APF had a golden opportunity to equalize but Shekhar Limbu´s shot was blocked by Dharan´s custodian Padmahang Limbu.

One of the players of Dharan was yet again penalized for handling the ball in the box in the 76th minute but APF missed this opportunity as well. In a disappointment for APF, Jiwesh Pandey´s penalty shot skied hitting the bar. Buddha was adjudged man-of-the-match.

This was the first time APF played against Dharan FC.

APF´s coach Maheshwar Mulmi said the main reason for their defeat was to miss the penalty shots. “Although it seemed there was lack of coordination, the main reason for the defeat was to miss the penalty shots,” he said.

Dharan´s Coach Deepak Limbu also admitted that they were in advantage as APF missed penalty shots.

Friday´s quarterfinal match will be held between Knight Chess of Jhapa and RCT.