DHANGADHI, MARCH 10
Friends Club advanced to the final of the fifth Chief Minister Sudurpashchim Khaptad Gold Cup here at the Dhangadhi Stadium today.
Friends defeated giant-killers Bagmati Youth Club 2-1 in the second semi-final match of the tournament. Jamoul Anthony Francois and Rajeev Lopchan scored one goal each for Friends, while Dady Wamba Jr netted the consolation goal for Bagmati, who had defeated A Division League champions Machhindra FC and New Road Team in previous encounters.
After a goalless first half, Francois put Friends ahead in the 64th minute before Lopchan doubled the tally seven minutes later. Wamba reduced the deficit in 83rd minute for Bagmati. Shyam Kyapchhaki of Friends was named the player of the match and he earned Rs 10,000. Friends will play against Manang Marshyangdi Club in Saturday's final.
Manang had defeated Himalayan Sherpa Club 4-2 in tie-breaker in the first semi-final match yesterday.
Friends coach Mrigendra Mishra said the team had the target of reaching the final.
"We came here with the aim of entering the final and we have achieved the first target. The young players in the team played well," he said. "Bagmati also played well but they lacked maturity and we able to cash on it.
We had the pressure of winning the match to save our prestige," he added.
Bagmati coach Rojit KC was satisfied with the overall performance of his team."The boys played well against the A division team.
We were here to gain some experience and we are able to leave our mark," he said.
"The players seemed tired today and they lacked fitness.
We had a target of taking the match to tie-breaker but we did not succeed in our plan."
A version of this article appears in the print on March 11, 2022, of The Himalayan Times
