Nirajan Rayamajhi set to play in Germany

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KATHMANDU, June 9 : Ace striker Nirajan Rayamajhi is leaving for Germany on Tuesday to play club football, the player revealed at a press meet organised on Monday.

Rayamajhi, 23, had tried to play for semi-professional Ornag Club last year but the club sent him back as the season was already started. This time he will play trial matches from three ‘B’ division outfits. "If I fail to make it, my agent Jupiter Agency has promised me to search clubs that suit me in Germany," said the Three Star club’s striker who scored a hattrick in the only match he played in the ongoing Martyr’s Memorial League.

According to him, his agent Jupiter Agencies has its network all over Europe and has assured him of a chance to play in Turkish league if he would not make it in Germany. "I am confident that I can make it in Germany ‘C’ division trial though I am not certain about ‘B’ division which has status similar to that of premiere division, Bundes Liga," Rayamajhi told reporters.

Rayamajhi said that a die-heart Nepali football fan Bikram Subba who has been living in Germany for 11 years persuaded him to play there. According to him, Subba is also a semi-professional player in Germany and after knowing Rayamajhi’s superb international record, contacted him and encouraged to play football in Europe.

If Rayamajhi gets chance to play in Germany, he will become the first Nepali to play professional football in Europe. "I have even received the release letter from ANFA (All Nepal Football Association)," said Rayamajhi, who is set to join Three Star Club after his return to Nepal. Starting his career with Rani Pokhari Corner Team (RCT) in 1997, Rayamajhi has already scored 12 international goals in 15 matches for Nepal including a hattrick in the World Cup Qualifying matches against Macao. In domestic front, he has scored more than 150 goals and walked away with best-player award eight times.

UCCC Red clinch title

KATHMANDU, June 9 (PR)-United Chabahil Cricket Club (UCCC) ‘Red’ defeated Nawajivan Club, Sifal by 15 runs to lift the Mini Bridge Cup cricket’s title today.

In the match played at local Gaucharan, UCCC won the toss and elected to bat first making 148 runs before being bundled out in 31.3 overs in the 35-over match. In reply, Nawajivan could manage just 133 runs in 32 overs to lose the match by 15 runs.

UCCC veteran Kiran Rana was the architect of the win as the former Nepali international allrounder scored 27 runs and picked up two vital wickets. Ramesh Aryal (20), Maheshwor Shrestha (18) and Bardan Chalise (16) helped UCCC make 148 runs. Rana accelerated the run-rate in the later part of the match scoring 19-ball 27 that included two towering sixers.

Nepal’s U-15 player Ravi Thapa notched three wickets for Nawajivan while Sagar Pant and Anil Amatya walked away with two. Apart from Avay Poudel (19), Sagar Pant (17) and Rabi Thapa (15) no other Nawajivan batsmen could reach double figure mark as they were bowled out for just 133 runs. Nepali international left-arm spinner Raju Basnet notched four wickets and was declared man of the match later. Chalise and Maheshwor Shrestha clinched a wicket apiece.

Suman Karki was adjudged the best batsman while Rakesh Karna received the honour of best wicket-keeper. Likewise, Roshan Tripathi was declared best bowler and Rabi Thapa walked away with best-fielder award. The man-of-the-series award went to UCCC Subrat Pandey. A total of 22 teams participated in the 18-day tournament.

NCC down Malpi to enter quarters

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KATHMANDU, June 9 : Nepal Commerce Campus (NCC) and Himalayan White House College secured place in the quarterfinals of the National Open Men’s Basketball Championship following their wins in the last league encounters today.

In the third day’s play held at Prime College premises, NCC, led by Amrit Kunwar’s 23 points, overcame a stiff challenge of Malpi Institute to post a 53-47 win. With the win NCC joined Naya Bazar Club in the last eight of the competition from Group C.

Himalayan White House posted a comprehensive 63-37 win over Brigade Boys Club. Sujan top scored for the winning team with 22 points. Brigade Boys, who had a win over Prime College in the previous match, followed White House to the quarterfinals despite the loss.

Also to move into the quarterfinals were Mid Town Sports Club and Public Youth Campus with respective victories against Gyan Niketan Tigers Club and Dharan Basketball Club. Mid Town tamed Gyan Niketan Tigers with a score of 73-63 while Public Youth Campus were a 90-70 winners over Dharan Basketball Club. Subash Shrestha was the day’s top scorer leading the Mid Town’s charge with 35 points. Bikash Shrestha meanwhile primed Public Youth with 28 points.

All the quarterfinal matches will be played on June 11. Naya Bazar Club take on Brigade Boys in the first quarterfinal while Himalayan White House will face off Nepal Commerce Campus. That will be followed by the match between 10ers and Public Youth Campus while Gyanodaya Club and Mid Town will play the last quarterfinal.

Friends’ Club gun down MPC

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KATHMANDU, June 9 ; Friends’ Club recovered from their humiliating 1-0 loss at the hands of minnow Kathmandu Club to beat title favourite Mahendra Police Club (MPC) 1-0 today in their second match of the Martyrs’ Memorial National League.

The 67-minute substitute Bijay Gurung scored the solitary goal of the match seven minutes from time to keep their title hopes alive. MPC, who started their league campaign thumping New Road Team (NRT) 4-1, were the mere shadow of the team that played last week.

"Bijay was not fully fit after sustaining ankle injury during last month’s Khukuri Cup," revealed ecstatic coach Ashok KC after the match. "I took a gamble by sending him and luckily he clicked at the right time," he added. The coach also admired the opponents labelling them the only professional team in the league. "Against a star-studded side our boys did very well," he admired his new-looking team. KC also warned his team not to get carried away with the win. "We still have a long way to go."

Gurung fired home the 83-minute winner after dribbling past dependable Rakesh Shrestha inside the 18-yard area. Though goalkeeper Mani Chamling demonstrated a full-stretch dive to his left, the ball eluded Chamling’s outstretched hands to sail towards the top left-corner of the net.

MPC got very little chance to bounce back in the match. Striker Hari Khadka and Raju Pulami received a chance each after trailing by a goal but couldn’t convert them. Pulami’s powerful shot sailed over the cross bar while Khadka faltered to connect the ball when he had only goalie Bikash Malla to beat. This was MPC’s second defeat within a month at the Dashrath Stadium. RCT had beaten them 3-2 in a thrilling quarterfinal match of the Khukuri Cup a month back.

"They came in the ground with new strategies and we failed to read them," said coach Yugambar Suwal. He also hailed Friends’ Club for not allowing MPC midfield to create goal-bound chances in the match. "Besides, our strikers played awfully and squandered a handful of chances today," he added.

The second round of the league begun with both the teams creating equal but feeble attacks. Prasant Giri struck the first full-blooded attack in the match but his effort went in vain as the ball missed the side bar by a whisker. Four minutes later, Friends’ Club last defense Lok Bahadur Gurung blocked MPC midfielder Ananta Thapa’s shot inside the penalty area to prevent a certain goal.

Raju Katuwal fired a powerful rightfooter but the ball went straight to goalkeeper Malla who did not commit any mistake and gathered it with ease. Prabin Manandhar of Friends’ Club had a very close look in the first half but Chamling ensured that the team would go at level in the first half.

Both the teams dictated the pace of the match in the second half but Friend’s Club were rewarded ultimately. Rookie Malla, who showed his potentials playing for the runner-up ANFA Academy in the Khukuri Cup, once again proved handy for Friends’ Club saving string of attacks from the policemen. He denied veteran Raju Pulami two minutes into the second half. Pulami fired a ferocious shot from the point blank range but Malla showed great reflex to gather the ball. Malla denied Khadka, who had an awful day on Monday, twice in the 54th and 73rd minute.

Kishor Subba, brought in for out-of-form Dev Narayan Chaudhary, connected a powerful shot from inside the 18-yard area only to watch Malla deny him. Gurung nearly made it 2-0 in the final minutes of the match but his shot taken from the outside flew above the cross bar.

High-flying Kathmandu Club meets NRT in the second match of the second round on Tuesday. NRT haven’t scored a win yet while Kathmandu Club defeated Friends’ Club 1-0 in the opening day of the league.