BARA, APRIL 17

Hosts Nava Janajagriti Youth Club came from behind to beat Himalayan Sherpa Club 3-2 and advanced to the semi-finals of the 11th Bishwokarma Cement Jitpur Simara Gold Cup here at the Simara Stadium today.

African recruit Louis Vidal, Sakal Regmi and Dona Thapa scored for the home team, while Purna Gurung and Ravi Rana replied for 'A' Division outfit Himalayan Sherpa.

Himalayan Sherpa took the lead in the 19th minute through Purna Gurung's goal, while Vidal levelled the scores for the hosts five minutes later. Dona Thapa brought the home crowd to its feet when he put Nava Janajagriti ahead in the 25th minute.

Sakal Regmi made it 3-1 for the home team in the 63rd minute when he slammed home in rebound after Himalayan Sherpa goalkeeper Chhiring Lama blocked his initial shot from the edge of the penalty box following a pass from Vidal. Ravi Rana reduced the deficit in the 88th minute when he converted a free kick into the goal from 25 yards out but it was too late for Himalayan Sherpa to find the equaliser.

Himalayan Sherpa created a couple of opportunities in the second half but they could convert just one. Nava Janajagriti defender Rohan Tamang saved his side from going down in the 54th minute when he made a goalline clearance to deny Purna Gurung at a time when goalkeeper Subash Bal was already beaten.

Nava Janajagriti custodian Bal made a brilliant save in the 64th minute to deny Kamal Thapa Magar's powerful strike from the edge of the box following a cross from Purna Gurung. Himalayan Sherpa pushed hard for equaliser and came close to scoring in the 89th and 90th minutes but Kailash Basnet and Bartaman Rai could not put the ball into the post.

Nava Janajagriti goalkeeper Subash Bal was named the man of the match and he earned Rs 5,000. On Sunday, Tribhuvan Army Football Club will take on African Roots Association in the second semi-final match. A version of this article appears in the print on April 18, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.