Gurung scores brace for Woking

KATHMANDU: Anil Gurung scored twice to help Woking Club to a 4-2 win over Woking & Maybury Sports Club in a friendly match at Kingfield in London on Friday. The Nepal national team striker, Gurung put the team 2-1 ahead scoring in the 43rd minute and added another in the 69th minute to ensure the team’s victory.

After playing the first two matches, Gurung was rested for the last three matches. He had scored a goal in the club’s first match. In the sixth match of the pre-season campaign on Friday, Gurung remained at the pitch for the full 90 minutes for the first time. In the previous two matches, he was introduced as substitute in the second half.

Gurung is currently in London in pursuit of his future as a professional footballer there. He has been donning No 10 jersey for the club, which is a non-league one in London. The London-based Sahara UK Club, which is close to Sahara Club of Pokhara, invited Gurung to London.

Gurung, who entered London in a six-month tourist visa, is having problem in acquiring the residential visa as he does not meet the criteria for the same. As per the visa regulations of England, only players affiliated with the premier league, champions league, first division and second division clubs are entitled to such visas. The problem floated around as the Woking is a non-league club, informed Sahara Club’s Sudarshan Ranjit.

Woking manager Graham Baker started Aldridge and trialist Gurung up in front and the duo immediately caused the Woking & Maybury defence problems. Gurung was sharp and throughout the match showed a good touch, laying off the ball well with his head and linking up play well.

Against the run of play Woking & Maybury went into the lead through

a superb shot from Perri in the 10th minute. Woking levelled the scores nine minutes later when Aldridge side-footed into an empty net from close range. Two minutes from half-time, Woking increased their lead. This time it was Gurung who scored, after good link-up play with Aldridge.

Woking dominance early on ended with Gurung getting his second

goal — a firm downward header from close range after the ball had been whipped in from the right in the 69rd minute. Woking & Maybury reduced the arrears with a long range shot from Machay. Woking’s fourth and final goal came in the 85th minute with Topham’s long-range shot finding its way into the net.