Sports

NPC beat TAC, enter final

NPC beat TAC, enter final

By Himalayan News Service

KATHMANDU: Nepal Police Club (NPC) came from behind to beat Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) 2-1 and entered the final of the Nepatop Kheladi Cup, charity football tournament, here at the Dasharath Stadium on Friday. The NPC will now take on Nabil Three Star Club in Saturday’s final. Three Star defeated NRT 3-2 on Thursday. Hari Bahadur Mahato put the Armymen ahead, while Jumanu Rai scored the equaliser before Chetan Ghimire found the winner. TAC put the NPC under pressure in the opening minutes but the departmental team of Nepali Army seemed clueless in the second half after the NPC took a 2-1 lead. Mahato gave TAC an early lead in eighth minute when his shot from the right flank fooled NPC goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa, who failed to judge the ball and was adjudged to have crossed the line with the ball. NPC skipper Ju Manu Rai scored the equaliser nine minutes later. Rai headed home following a cross from Deepak Bhusal. NPC pressed hard to break the deadlock and Chetan found the net in the 33rd minute. Fed by Bhola Silwal, skipper Rai released the ball to Chetan, who slotted past TAC goalkeeper and skipper Bikash Malla. Chetan almost scored his second goal of the match couple of minutes later but ended up with a loose shot at the hands of Malla, who was also forced to a couple of brilliant saves by Ju Manu and Chetan in the second half. NPC captain Ju Manu Rai was named the man of the match and received the mountain flight ticket from Buddha Air. The tournament is jointly organised by Nepal National and International Players Association (NNIPA) and Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) to raise funds for the treatment of former national volleyball player Dinesh Baniya. On Saturday, the popular artistes Nima Rumba, Anil Singh and The Unity Band will perform before and during the half time of the final match.