NSC to file case against Thapa

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KATHMANDU, Nov 8 - With the final deadline fixed by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) just a week away for the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) elections, the legal battle between National Sports Council (NSC) and Ganesh Thapa, president of AFC backed ANFA only seems to boil up.

Yagyamurti Banjade, the lawyer appointed by NSC to follow-up the legal process against Thapa for its financial irregularities during his tenure under NSC, is likely to file case against him in the Kathmandu district court on Friday.

Earlier, a three-member ANFA investigation committee headed by Ram Krishna Nirala had submitted its report to the member-secretary of NSC citing a number of irregularities during the construction of the ANFA complex at Satdobato. Thapa was accused of producing fraudulent bills to clear the advances in the name of construction firm, which does not exist at all, according to the probe committee.

Member-secretary of NSC, Binod Shanker Palikhe, says that the filing of the case and AFC deadline is mere coincidence. "It’s only a coincidence and we have not done it on purpose," he says. "It is natural that case would be filed in court as a follow-up of the Nirala commission findings."

AFC had set November 15 as the last date before which ANFA elections had to be completed after repeated failures on the part of Nepal Olympic Committee and NSC to hold the election on previous dates suggested by AFC.

However, Palikhe seems confident that filing a case against Thapa at such a crucial time will have no effect on the football of Nepal. "I don’t think it will affect Nepali football in any way."

Sunsari, Udayapur enter semis

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LALITPUR, Nov 8 – Sunsari stormed into the semifinals of the 2nd Inter-school National Girls’ football tournament following their 4-1 thrashing of Bhaktapur in the Group ‘B’ match played at Satdobato on Thursday.

Sunsari became the third team to book their place for the semifianls. Chittramaya
Gurung struck twice for the winning side, while Sarashwoti Ghimire and Tulsha Singh netted a goal each. Nirmala Kapali scored the only consolation goal from Bhaktapur.

That sealed the fate of Dang, who had earlier raised their semifinal hopes through a late goal from Geeta Rokka and wished for Bhaktapur victory over Sunsari.

Dang, despite holding their superiority through attacking football failed to translate the opportunities that came their way. Mamata Gurung had a real chance to put her side ahead early in the first half but she was kept at bay by some breathtaking saves from Kanchanpur goalie Rukmani Chand.

They had to wait until 64th minute of the match when striker Geeta Rokka buried a right footer off a cross from Mamata Gurung from the right to score the match’s decisive goal.

Kanchanpur too had their opportunity only to see them go begging. Parwati Shahi supplied a beautiful cross inside the six-yard box, but that went astray with none of her teammates coming for support as the Dang goalie, Teju Shrestha, staggered to gather the ball.

Likewise, Udayapur outscored Kathmandu 4-2 to enter the semifinals as the Group ‘D’ winners. Rija Rai broke the deadlock in the 15th minute for Udayapur but that did not last too long as Kathmandu responded back two minutes later through Mira Maharjan to level the score at 1-1. A couple of goals before the half time through Champa Tamang and Sarmila Rai eased Udayapur to win the match comprehensively.

In the day’s other match, Banke held Rupandehi a goalless draw that had merely anything to offer but an academic interest.

Morang will take on Sunsari and Kailali will face off Udayapur in the Friday’s semifinals.

Moti Ram beat Dharan 11

MORANG, Nov 8 (PR)– The last year’s finalist Moti Ram Sporting Club edged past Dharan-11 by 2-1 Thursday to enter the Samrat Running Cup football semifinals.

Sunder Nepal, who has been in fine form in the tournament so far, scored both the goals of the winning team in a closely contested quarterfinal match. However, he was unlucky to miss his consecutive hat-trick as his powerful shot deflected from the opposition’s bar as early as in the 3rd minute.

Nepal amended his mistake in the 30th minute of the match when he dribbled past two of the Dharan-11 defenders and buried a powerful shot for a 1-0 lead. Nepal received a nice right-wing cross from Deepak Karki.

All through the first half, Moti Ram troubled the opposition frequently.

The change of ends brought a revitalised Dharan-11 as they came up with more attacks. Suraj Khaling, who saw a couple of shots being denied by Moti Ram goalkeeper Surendra Shrestha, played more aggressively in the second half.

Dharan-11 were awarded a penalty first minute into the second session when Moti Ram’s last defense Binod Dhimal deliberately prevented the ball with his hand as Khaling dribbled the ball from the centre to the 30-yard territory of the opponent’s and buried a curling shot. Ganesh Limbu took the shot and restored the parity at 1-1.

The see-saw battle continued and in the 77th minute, the referee again blew the whistle for a penalty, however, it was Moti Ram who had the advantage. Some of Dharan-11 defense pulled Sagar Thapa even as he was piercing past through the defense in the 30-yard area. Nepal stepped up to take the shot and converted it into goal to give Moti Ram a 2-1 lead. And he was later declared man of the match. In the last quarterfinal match on Friday, Rani Youth Club of Biratnagar meet with Siraha Youth Club.