Khadka nets hat-trick as Three Star enter semis

Sunsari, February 6

Nirajan Khadka scored a hat-trick as Ruslan Three Star Club thrashed Farwest Sports Club 4-0 to advance to the semi-finals of the 20th BudhaSubba Gold Cup here at the Dharan Stadium today.

Sunil Bal added a goal for the Lalitpur-based ‘A’ division outfit who booked a berth in the last four berth where they will meet Durgapur Steel FC of India on Thursday. The other semi-final match pits defending champions Nepal Police Club and last year’s runners-up CMG Club Sankata on Wednesday.

Khadka opened the scoring in the seventh minute before Bal doubled the tally in the 37th minute. Khadka made it 3-0 in the 54th minute through a header following a cross from RanjitDhimal and converted a spot kick to complete his hat-trick in the injury time. The four-time champions Three Star earned the penalty after Farwest skipper ChetanTharu handled the ball inside the box.

Khadka was named the man of the match and he earned Rs 10,000.

Three Star also wasted a couple of scoring chances. Three Star’s foreign recruit Ajayi Martins headed wide on Sunil Bal’s pass, while Buddha Chemjong failed muffed up in one-on-one with Farwest goalkeeper AmanatSekh in the 17th minute. Similarly, BijayDhimal’s shot in the 48th minute was denied by Farwest goalie Shekh.

At the other end, Farwest’s forwards also failed to convert chances that came their way. Foreign recruit ArounaDaonman twice came close to scoring but Three Star goalie Alan Neupane denied him on both occasions. Daonman wasted a chance in one-on-one situation with Neuapne in the eighth minute, while the custodian stood firm at his goal in the 76th minute.

Three Star coachMeghraj KC said taking an early lead was the key. “The match was competitive one but Farwest failed to score goals, while our experienced players got confidence after taking the lead,” said KC.

Farwest coach Suresh Hamal said his players failed to execute plans and did not meet team’s expectation. “As our forwards failed to score goals, the defenders were also not up to the mark and we faced a loss by huge margin,” said Hamal.