Armymen labour against U-19 boys

Hemanta Kafle/Madan Wagle

ABHU KHAIRENI: Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) claimed the title of the National Inter-club football tournament defeating ANFA Academy U-19 team 3-1 on penalties here today.

In the neck-to-neck

battle, both teams scored a goal each in the regular 90 minutes and added one apiece in the extra time. The match went to tie-breaker with both the teams deadlocked at 2-2.

Chun Bahadur Thapa, Mahendra Khawas and Hiran Magar converted

the spot kicks for the departmental team of Nepal Army, while Santosh Nepali hit the woodwork. Rupesh KC was the only one to score in the tie-breaker for the ANFA U-19 team. Rohit Chand’s shot flew over the bar while TAC goalie Bikash Malla blocked the shot from Dipak Bhushal.

Earlier, the Armymen squandered the lead

twice. Amrit Basnet gave TAC the lead in the injury time of the first half. The

U-19 boys, who were looking technically strong,

levelled the scores in the 80th minute through a header from Shiva Shrestha.

In the fifth minute of the extra-time, Army once again retained their lead following a goal from Ram Kumar Biswas. Sujal Shrestha then headed

home on a free kick from Dipak Bhushal to prolong Army’s title run.

“It was really difficult playing against the technically strong team but finally we won the match,”

said TAC coach Raju Kaji Shakya. Despite losing the title, the U-19 coach Kishor KC said his side technically won the match.

With the win, the TAC pocketed Rs 111,111 while the runners-up ANFA took home Rs 50,000. TAC’s Santosh Nepali and goalkeeper Bikash Malla won the

best player and best goalkeeper’s awards. ANFA U-19 skipper Nirajan Malla scored three goals to take the highest scorer’s award while they were also adjudged the Fair Play Team.