Khadka hogs limelight as MPC lift King’s Cup

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KATHMANDU, Feb 21: A golden goal from ace striker Hari Khadka led Mahendra Police Club (MPC) to the title triumph in the King’s Cup knockout football tournament with a 2-1 win over Manang Marsyangdi Club (MMC) on Thursday.

"It’s a goal, you always look for, be it a domestic or international tournament," said Khadka talking to reporters after the match. Khadka was adjudged the man of the match and the series and bagged a Samsung mobile set and Yahama Crux-R motorbike.

"First, I thought the series contenders were Kumar Thapa, Basanta Thapa and myself, but when the ball kissed the net, I became sure that the series award was mine," said ecstatic Khadka.

The match was extended to extra time when neither side could break the 1-1 deadlock in the regulation 90 minutes time.

Khadka struck the decisive blow for MMC in the 3rd minute of the extra time to give MPC their second final victory over MMC within a month. MPC had edged past MMC 1-0 through a golden goal from Ramesh Budathoki in the final of the Birendra Memorial tournament at the same ground on January this year.

In the counter-attack, Ramesh Budathoki, who scored the first goal for MPC, supplied a long pass to Khadka at just outside the 18-yard area. Khadka first dodged last defense Amit KC and then MMC custodian Binod Dangol before guiding the ball to the back of the net. MMC once again had a bad day with poor finishing as their players spoilt as many as six convincing chances coming their way.

"Our boys failed to penetrate rival’s defense so we lost the title," said Birat Jung Shahi with gloomy facial expression. "Anyway it was an entertaining football and the day was theirs so finally we lost the match," Shahi consoled himself.

Earlier, Ramesh Budathoki, who is having a great run in the domestic football, found the net as early as in the 9th minute. MMC goalie Dangol’s blunder proved a reward for MPC, when his poor timing found Budathoki just outside the edge. Budathoki didn’t make any mistake and unleashed a fierce shot after taking the ball inside the 18-yard box. Though diving Dangol managed to touch the ball, Budathoki’s power guided it into the net. The battle took an aggressive turn in the second half and MMC became more severe after Basanta Thapa scored probably the best goal of the tournament in the 67th minute. Thapa homed the deflected goal, when MMC were offered a free kick at the edge of the 18-yard area after Narottam Gautam brought down MMC captain Kumar Thapa.

MMC played an attacking football after restoring parity at 1-1 but Thapa, Rayamajhi and substitute Nabin Neupane missed some close opportunities, when the Police defenders were lacking coordination.

"When the opponents equalised the score, our boys created some defensive lapses, which was the heart beating moment, but they recovered quickly and performed their job nicely," said Police captain Anil Adhikari after the match.

From Police side, defenders Adhikari, Deepak Poudel, Narottam Gautam and Rakesh Shrestha played superbly while Budathoki at the front left the mark. MMC goalie Dangol remained instrumental for his team saving more than half dozens of Police’s attacks including four full-blooded shots off Budathoki.

Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, the president of Raj Parishad Standing Committee handed over the trophy, certificates and prizes to the winner and runner-up. Deepak Khadka of Dolakha received a Samsung 14" colour TV for being the lucky audience. The nine-day long tournament was organised by Nepal Sports Club.

RCT down Dharan

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POKHARA, Feb 21: A late strike from Harihar Thapa powered RCT to the quarterfinals of the Caravan Gold Cup Invitational Football tournament with a 1-0 win over Dharan at the local Pokhara Stadium on Thursday.

After surviving a penalty scare early in the first half, Dharan succumbed to the Thapa goal five minutes from time. RCT were awarded a spot-kick by the referee in the 31st minute when Dharan defender Surendra Rai handled the ball inside the penalty area.

But goalkeeper Surendra Shrestha effected a superb save to deny RCT’s Ramesh Gyawali a goal, which put the pressure back on the opposition as Dharan kept much of the possession in the first session.

The penalty miss took a toll on Gyawali as he spurned more chances that came on his way. Apart from Gyawali, RCT who boasted services of players with international experience – Narayan Manandhar, Ujjal Manandhar failed to impress as Dharan enjoyed supremacy both at the middle and upfield. National player Hari Thakuri and junior national Rishi Rai, especially played impressively up front.

To add more frustration to the RCT camp Dharan goalkeeper Shrestha repeatedly came up with fabulous performances under the bar.

Dharan, the winners of Pokhara Sub-metropolis Mayor Cup, despite having a luxury of vociferous local support, were rewarded with several goalscoring chances in that session but they failed to convert any of them owing to poor finishing.

They looked a total disappointment in the second half under rain. Their attackers failed to control their nerves every time they went close to the goal, which eventually led to their exit from the tournament.

As the players resorted to violent game, names of four players, two from each side, went in to referee’s book. Harihar Thapa and Damodar Silpakar of RCT and Harihar Thapa and Bishnu Rai were shown yellow cards in the match.

Playing in the rain soaked field, Dharan defenders failed to match the surging RCT attackers. And in the 40th minute, Harihar Thapa, after losing a couple of his markers, unleashed a powerful drive from penalty area which slipped off goalkeeper’s hands and crossed the line that sealed the fate of Dharan.

Central Region come up trumps

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KATHMANDU, Feb 21: Central Region dominated the athletic events held at Dashrath Stadium Thursday on the occasion of the 27th National Education Day.

The sports events being organised by Ministry of Education and Sports witnessed Central Region athletes making clean sweep of all but one athletic event. Chaya Khatri of Mid-western Region and Western Region’s Jagdish Chaudhary, who won 100m boys’ gold medal, were the two athletes to prevent the Central athletes clean sweeping the events. Khatri, representing the Mid-western Region clocked 5.28:97 sec to complete the 1500-meter girls’ race. Her associate Deepa Chaudhary claimed the second spot while Maya Chaudhary of Western Region bagged the third position.

Likewise, Central Region’s Radheshyam Kawa clocked 4:36.74 sec to finish the boys’ 1500-meter race. Niroj Chaudhary of Eastern Region was placed second while Subash Kushwaha managed third position.

Other Winners: 100m girls’ - Sabitri Nepali (13.83), Rama Panjiyar (14.14 sec), Maya Poudel (14.36 sec)

100m boys’ - Jagdish Chaudhary (11.10 sec), Hemanta Chaudhary (11.64 sec), Shiva Kumar Chaudhary (12.25 sec)

500m girls’ - Sabitri Nepali (1:07.69 sec), Saraswati Chand (1:07.76), Maya Poudel (1:11.43)

500m boys’ - Krishna Mahato (52.72 sec), Anil Kumar Raya (56.37 sec), Bansha Bahadur Sharma (57.35 sec)

Girls’ High-jump - Hema Shrestha (1.28 meter), Rameshwori Mahato (1.26 meter), Ram Kumari Chaudhary (1.20 meter)

Boys’ High-jump - Indra Raj Chaudhary (1.68 meter), Mahesh Chaudhary (1.68 meter), Rami Chaudhary (1.56 meter).

Girls’ volleyball - Western Region beat Central Region 25-13, 25-9/ Mid-western Region beat Eastern Region 27-25, 25-17/ Far-western Region beat Mid-western Region 25-11, 25-17/ Western Region beat Far-western Region 25-11, 25-10.

Boys’ volleyball - Western Region beat Far-western Region 25-19, 25-22/ Western Region beat Central Region 25-19, 25-22/ Eastern Region beat Mid-western Region 25-17, 25-22/ Far-western Region beat Mid-western Region 25-22, 25-16.