APF enters semifinals, beating Sherpa
Simara: APF Club Jagdamba of the Armed Police Force has entered the last four of the 12th Jeetpur Simara Gold Cup. APF entered the semifinals by stunning Himalayan Sherpa 3-2 in the second quarterfinal match played at Simara Stadium on Sunday.
Deepesh Dhimal, BK Tamang and Armand Bedam scored one goal each in the victory of APF. Captain Bishwas Shrestha scored two goals for Sherpa.
APF took the lead in the 27th minute of the first half against Sherpa. Deepesh Dhimal made good use of Navin Lama’s corner ball and scored for APF. APF added the second goal just minutes after taking the lead.
APF’s BK Tamang scored the goal using the Navin cross ball. With his goal, APF reached 2-0 in the game. Sherpa appeared under pressure after the APF took a two-goal lead. Sherpa had to face pressure after losing some good opportunities in the game. In the 33rd minute, two Sherpas players Bikas Meraglia and Aziz Olawa missed a chance to score. Both players failed to score on the ball found inside the box.
After losing some chances to get back into the game in the first half, Sherpa reduced the deficit to 50 minutes. After Deepesh Dhimal of APF fought Bikas Meraglia inside the box, referee Prakash Nath Shrestha awarded a penalty to Sherpa. Sherpa captain Bishwas Shrestha scored an excellent goal from the penalty spot. APF goalkeeper Yuya Kuriamo could not control his attack.
The competition became exciting after Sherpa reduced the goal difference with the support of the home crowd. The aggressive performance of both the teams in the excellent coordination made the spectators excited. Shortly after Sherpa’s return, APF increased the lead again. Armand Bedam scored on Pradip Lama’s cross in the 56th minute. APF went 3-1 after Bedam’s goal.
When Sherpa reduced the lead increased by APF to 68th, the game was revived. Captain Bishwas Shrestha tried to get the team back in the game by scoring a brilliant goal from outside the box. His goal made the game 3-2. APF had to face pressure last time due to the goal of faith.
The last time the APF was defensive and the Sherpas were aggressive. The APF had to fight till the last minute for victory after thwarting Sherpa’s continuous efforts. In the 71st minute of the match, Sherpa’s Satyam Sharma’s shot hit the crossbar and came back. Shortly afterwards, Aziz’s strike was saved by the APF goalkeeper and Sherpa missed two good chances.
Defensive-looking APF also squandered an opportunity late in the game. APF’s Pradip Lama failed to score an empty post.His blow came out from near the post.
APF, which lost an attractive opportunity in the last minute, finally won 3-2. Armand, who scored a goal in APF’s victory, was declared Man of the Match. He received five thousand prizes. The third quarterfinal match will be played between Nawa Janajagriti Youth Club and Sudurpashchim 11 on Monday.
Sudurpaschim had entered the last eight of the competition by defeating Friends Club in the opening game. For the organizers, it will be the first match of the game with Sudurpaschim.
The winner of the ongoing competition organized by Nawa Janajagriti Youth Club will get Rs.10 Lakhs and the runner-up will get Rs.5 Lakhs. The competition will be conducted till Chaitra 19.
