• BIZ BRIEFS
Dharan, February 26
Avenir FC edged past Bagmati Youth Club 1-0 and advanced to the semi-finals of the 23rd Budha Subba Tuborg Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Dharan Stadium today.
Shaba Ali scored the solitary goal of the match in the first half and that was enough for the Cameroonian team to earn victory in their first match. Ali found the back of the nets in the 14th minute following a pass from his skipper Gini.
Physically tough Avenir FC players dominated the match from the beginning and also created a couple of scoring opportunities.
Kiyali Rozack had his efforts brilliantly saved by Bagmati goalkeeper Anish Mahato in the 18th minute, while Joe Aldoo's shot sailed over the bar four minutes later.
Likewise, Mahato punched away Timba's shot in the 70th minute, while the Bagmati custodian denied Moses Twum four minutes later.
Tuim struck the bar in the injury time of the match.
Avenir coach Ashik Thapa Magar accepted that his boys could no put up a great show as expected. "We were not able to perform according to our potential but at the same time the boys were demoralised due to biasness from referees," he said. "We will carry the winning momentum to next match and the boys will definitely put up an improved show in the upcoming match."
At the other end, Bagmati also created a couple of scoring chances but they failed to convert any. Abinash Syangtan wasted a chance in the 22nd minute after he shot into the hands of Avenir goalkeeper Tasho Alain, while Dev Gurung shot wide in the 30th minute.
Alain denied Syangtan twice. First he punched away a free kick from Syangtan before foiling the resulting corner kick from the same player.
Alain spilled the ball while stopping Dev Gurung's attempt in the 65th minute but Bagmati players failed to capitalise on rebound.
Bijay Ghalan hit the bar in the 73rd minute before Syangtan muffed up a chance inside the box four minutes later after Avenir goalkeeper Alian blocked a shot from Ghalan. Bagmati coach Rojit KC praised his boys' overall performance but rued the missed chances.
"The match was very much in our control," said KC. "The opponents were strong and a couple of decisions also went against us," added KC, who also received a yellow card for protesting referee decisions. Avenir will now face either ANFA Morang or KBPS Bangladesh for a place in the final. Bagmati's Ayush Rana was named the player of the match and he earned Rs 10,000.
On Monday, Nepal Police Club will take on Kakarvitta Football Training Centre in the last quarter-final match. A total of eight teams are taking part in the tournament. Top two teams will receive one million rupees and Rs 500,000 respectively.
A version of this article appears in the print on February 27, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
