Football
APF stun Jhapa XI in sudden death
APF will go head to head against departmental rivals Tribhuvan Army Club on MondayRamesh Kumar Paudel
Nepal Armed Police Force Club edged Jhapa XI in the sudden death penalty shootout to enter the quarter-final of the Jaycees Bikash Running Shield football tournament on Saturday.
Regulation time of the clash had ended in a goalless stalemate. The match had headed to sudden death after the tie-breakers too had settled for a 4-4 deadlock with both the goalkeepers saving a spot kick each from their opponents.
APF will go head to head against departmental rivals Tribhuvan Army Club on Monday. Army themselves had progressed to the last-eight, thanks to a bye they relished in the tie-sheet.
Saturday’s match was more competitive in comparison to the previous matches of the ongoing tournament in Campachaur, Narayangadh. The clash which witnessed unexpected large turnout of the spectators however lacked goals in the regulation time. It appeared as if APF had found the net in the 56th minute when Yuvraj Khadka attempted a shot off the pass provided by Rabi Thing. However, the effort went over the post. Jhapa instantly produced a move but failed to convert it.
Both the teams failed to convert their chances and the match headed towards a tie-breaker. APF custodian Amrit Chaudhary saved the penalty kick taken by Jhapa captain Dilen Loktam while Santosh Katuwal of APF could not get past Jhapa stopper Kishor Giri which meant the match had to be decided through sudden death.
Chaudhary was yet again in the spotlight as he saved the spot kick from Jhapa’s Suraj BK and Rajendra Rawal sealed the win for APF converting his opportunity from 12 yards. APF custodian was adjudged the man-of-the-match for his heroics and pursed Rs 10,000.
Jawalakhel Club of Kathmandu take on India’s Darjeeling’s United Club in the tournament fixture slated for Sunday.