Chitwan, February 20

Friends Club defeated Bijay Youth Club of Hetauda 1-0 in the inaugural match of the Bikash Running Shield International Invitational Football Tournament at the Campa Chaur today.

Jonal Glory scored the solitary goal of the match in the 29th minute to send Friends Club into the quarter-finals of the competition. Friends will now play against Tribhuvan Army Club. Glory was named the man-of-the-match and got Rs 10,000.

Earlier, former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the tournament and assured that he would help in constructing mini stadium at CampaChaur. “Mini stadium can be constructed here but the locals, representatives and sports authorities need to take initiation,” said Dahal.

A total of 12 teams — NFC Chitwan, BFC Chitwan, defending champions CMG Club Sankata, Laxmi Hyundai ManangMarshyangdi Club, Ruslan Three Star Club, Bijay Youth Club of Hetauda, Nepal Police Club, Nepal APF Club, Tribhuvan Army Club, Friends Club, Farwest Sports Club and Sikkim Boys of India — are competing in the event organised by Bikash Shield Committee of Chitwan.

Top two teams will get Rs 500,000 and Rs 250,000 respectively, while the best player will earn Rs 50,000. On Wednesday, Narayangarh Football Club will take on ANFA Academy.