Sunsari, March 2
Avenir FC defeated ANFA Morang 2-0 and advanced to the final of the 23rd Budha Subba Tuborg Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Dharan Stadium today.
Timba scored one for Avenir, who were gifted with an own goal from ANFA Morang defender Sujan Chaudhary in the second semi-final match of the tournament. Timba opened the scoring for Avenir in the 44th minute when he headed home in rebound.
Sabba Ali's strike hit the post and the ball rebounded to play before Timba headed into the open nets at a time when ANFA Morang goalkeeper Pranijay Chaudhary was already beaten.
Avinir doubled the tally after ANFA Morang defender Sujan Chaudhary scored into his own nets while trying to clear Din's shot. Din was later named the player of the match and he received Rs 10,000 along with a trophy.
Avenir wasted a couple of opportunities.
Frederic Medjo saw his efforts saved by ANFA Morang goalkeeper Chaudhary in ninth minute, while Timba failed to beat custodian Chaudhary in one-on-one situation following a cross from Wilson Richard in 86th minute. Avenir coach Ashish Thapa Magar was happy with his players' performance and the result despite missing the services of injured Moses.
"It was a good match and we can lift the trophy if we continue playing like this," he said.
At the other end, ANFA Morang failed to find the back of the nets despite making hard efforts. They wasted two free kicks in the space of four minutes in the early stage of the match before San Yakhya muffed up a chance from the six-yard box in the 42nd minute.
Sujan Chaudhary's attempt sailed inches above the bar in the 69th minute. ANFA Morang coach Ranu Rana Magar said they lost against physically-strong side.
"We were physically weaker than the opponents and that's the only reason we faced defeat in the match," Rana Magar said. "We also had a bit of problem in defense line and our goalkeeper could not judge the ball properly."
The Cameroon-based Avenir will face Kakarvitta Football Training Centre of Jhapa in the final on Saturday. Top two teams will receive one million rupees and Rs 500,000 respectively.
A version of this article appears in the print on March 3, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
