Lalitpur, May 28

Jagadamba Lumbini FC and CMG Club Sankata registered wins in the Lalit Memorial U-18 Football Tournament here at the ANFA Complex grounds today.

Previous edition’s runners-up Lumbini beat New Road Team, while 10-man Sankata defeated Morang FC by the identical 2-0 scoreline.

Ajit Thapa and Anup Gurung scored one goal each for Lumibini in the Group C match. Thapa opened the scoring for Lumbini in the 26th minute and Gurung doubled the advantage in the 55th minute.

Despite winning the match, Lumbini coach Bikash Gurung said his side had to struggle hard to play on Astro turf. “Playing on the turf is quite difficult. My boys played first match on the artificial turf and now they should be comfortable in the second match. We will perform better in our next game,” said Gurung.

NRT coach Maheshwor Mulmi said his side could not perform well as the club lacked proper training grounds to prepare for the tournament. “We are competing in the tournament with only two weeks of training as we do not have training grounds,” said Mulmi.

In the Group D match, Sankata defeated Morang riding on a brace from Dipesh Ale Magar. Magar put Sankata ahead in the 10th minute. They were reduced to 10 men after skipper Sakal Regmi got marching orders in the 41st minute. Morang failed to capitalise on numeric advantage before Sankata doubled the tally in the 65th minute when Magar scored his second goal of the match.

Sanakata’s coach Sagun Tandukar said his side showed the fighting spirit despite being reduced to 10 men. “Scoring early goal was an advantage for us as our team skipper was expelled later on,” said Tandukar, who added that Morang were a balanced side.

On Monday, Nepal APF Club will take on Saraswoti Youth Club in Group A match, while Friends Club will face Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club in Group B match.