KATHMANDU, June 3: Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) produced its first victory in the ongoing Lalit Memorial U-18 Football Championship defeating New Road Team (NRT) on Saturday while Nepal Police Club (NPC) was held by Morang Football Club.
In the matches played at ANFA Complex, Satdobato, JYC overcame NRT 3-0 while NPC played 1-1 draw with Morang.
With the first win in Group C, JYC kept its quarterfinals hope alive while NRT has crashed out from the group stage. Jagadamba Lumbini FC is at top in Group C with six points from two matches while Himalayan Sherpa (HSC) has three points from equal number of matches. In the next group stage matches, JYC will compete with Lumbini which has already one foot in the last eight while HSC will face NRT with the hope of win which will take it to the next round.
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In the first match of the day, winger Sushant Chaudhary scored two goals and set up another for Aruj Singh. JYC took the lead in the match with Aruj scoring close range goal utilizing the Sushant's cross from the right flank. JYC had to wait until the 76th minute for another goal, Sushant found the winning side's second goal utilizing NRT's goalkeeper Sandesh Gurung's costly error. Sushant collected the ball in the danger zone after NRT goalie dropped it while attempting to grab it. Sushant made 3-0 in the last minute of the regular time.
After the match, JYC's Naresh Thapa said that his players utilized the chances properly. "Today players took the chances well, they were good in front of the goal," said Coach Thapa. He also said that making changes in the team paid off. "I had made four changes in the team including the goalkeeper, I think it paid off," added Thapa.
Meanwhile, NRT's coach Maheshwar Mulmi said that his players missed too many opportunities. "Today the difference between us and opponent was, they took chances and we didn't," said Coach Mulmi
Nepal Police Club 1-1 Morang Football Club
Rajiv Lopchan scored an early goal in the 4th minute to put NPC in the driving seat but Rajiv Kumar Pokhrel found equalizing goal in the 17th minute which eventually helped Biratnagar-based outfit to earn a point.
Police coach Ananta Thapa said that his team played according to plan. "We wanted at least a point from today's match if not a win. I am happy with the way the boys performed," said Coach Thapa.
Meanwhile Police's draw with Morang means CMG Sankata Club has advanced to the quarterfinals from Group D with six points. Police Club has four points and need to bag at least a point against Sankata to make it through to the next match.
On Sunday clashes, Rum Pum Jhapa XI will take on Armed Police Force (APF) in Group A while Tribhuvan Army Club will face Friends' Club in Group B.
