Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 11:

Gyanendra Armed Police Force (APF) defeated Jawalakhel Youth Club 4-0 in the day’s match at the Birthday Cup football tournament, which has been organised by All Nepal Football Association to mark the 59th birthday of King Gyanendra, here at Dasharath Stadium. Shree Krishna Prajapati scored two goals and set another for Ganesh Lawati, and skipper Jibesh Pandey struck one for APF. Gyanendra APF, who got direct entry to ‘A’ division without playing

any qualifying tournaments, will probably face Mahendra Police Club for a place in the quarter-finals on June 19. Prajapati put APF ahead in the 43rd minute. He found the net following Ganesh Lawati’s flick pass inside the penalty area. Prajapati doubled the tally six minutes later after he snatched the ball from JYC defender and dodged as many as two players before beating past JYC goalkeeper Sanjeeb Shrestha. Ganesh Lawati made it 3-0 in the 77th minute when his powerful strike from the edge of the area kissed the net following Prajapati’s pass. JYC goalkeeper Sanjeeb Shrestha, the former Under-14 skipper, even could not judge the ball and remained unmoved. Skipper Jibesh Pandey, who joined APF from Sankata Club, completed the rout in the 81st minute, when he dribbled past two defenders before firing the ball into the net. This is my first win as a skipper,” said Pandey after the match. “This is our first match in this level and the team is not still set, but we succeeded in bringing a good result,” he added.