Sports
Lalit Memorial U-18 Championship: JYC reignite quarter-final hopes
Jawalakhel Youth Club ignited their quarter-final hopes with a comfortable 3-0 win over New Road Team (NRT) while Nepal Police Club (NPC) and Morang FC shared points played a 1-1 draw on Saturday in the Lalit Memorial U-18 Football Championship at the Anfa Complex.Jawalakhel Youth Club ignited their quarter-final hopes with a comfortable 3-0 win over New Road Team (NRT) while Nepal Police Club (NPC) and Morang FC shared points played a 1-1 draw on Saturday in the Lalit Memorial U-18 Football Championship at the Anfa Complex.
The stalemate between NPC and Morang benefited Sankata who cruised into the quarter-finals with a match in hand. After playing equal two matches, Sankata have six points, two more than NPC in Group ‘D’ while Morang have one and Brigade Boys Club (BBC) are pointless. NPC take on Sankata in their last group match and Morang meet BBC.
Earlier, forward Sushant Chaudhary netted twice and assisted in for the opening goal as Jawalakhel, making four changes in the starting line-up, dominated the game. The first win after two matches put Jawalakhel level on points with Himalayan Sherpa Club. Lumbini FC lead Group ‘C’ with six points and NRT are yet to open account following two consecutive defeats.
Jawalakhel took lead in the 29th minute when Aruj Singh tapped from six-yard box to convert Chaudhary’s left flank cross for his third goal of the tournament. The one-sided affair saw Chaudhary double the advantage in the 76th minute after his chest-control inside the six-yard box crosses the goalline. The victory was sealed in the 90th minute when Chaudhary pounced a rebound ball after custodian Sandesh Gurung fumbled a powerful strike from Dipendra Khatri. NRT’s only real chance came in the fourth minute after resumption but skipper Ashok Thapa Magar’s freekick crashed on to the bar.
Following the defeat, NRT coach Maheshwar Mulmi said his side hopes of progressing into quarter-finals has ended despite having mathematical chances. “Now I don’t see any chance for next round,” said Mulmi. “The opponents utilised the scoring chances but we didn’t. That was the only difference in the game,” he added.
His Jawalakhel counterpart Naresh Thapa said that hard effort and four changes he made in the starting line paid off. “The players really worked hard and the changes in playing XI worked perfectly for us,” said Thapa. “We were under pressure to remain in contention and the win has boosted our confidence.”
Departmental team NPC looked on course for victory with a fourth minute lead through Rajiv Lopchan. But Morang hit back in the 17th minute to steal a point from the Morang side studded with Anfa Academy pass outs.