Sinkeman guides NRT to quarters

POKHARA: Jeevan Sinkeman scored a brace to guide New Road Team (NRT) into the quarter-finals of the eighth Aaha Gold Cup with a 3-1 win over Knight Chess Club of Jhapa here at the Pokhara Stadium today.

Man of the match Sinkeman featured in the entire match scoring a suicide goal for Knight Chess while Danish Stiker Shayan Mosavi added the other for NRT. NRT will now play Sahara Football Club of UK, which landed here today.

Sinkeman gave an early 10-minute lead to NRT cashing in on a cross from Nirajan Rayamajhi. Knight Chess were trying to set the match but their rhythm was broken when Mosavi struck another goal for NRT. Mosavi easily converted his shot after Knight Chess glovesman came too across exposing the post. Four minutes later Nirajan Rayamajhi's powerfully struck free-kick rebounded off the bar.

Knight Chess bounced back in the match courtesy an own goal from Sinkeman in the 38th minute. Sinkeman directed the ball to his own nets while clearing a shot from Knight Chess. Knight Chess were a better team in the second half enjoying a better possession and making threatening moves but failed to find the back of the net. In the dying moments of the match, Raj Kumar KC supplied a brilliant ball to unmarked Laxmi Shrestha but he squandered the opportunity.

The match was all over for Knight Chess when Sinkeman brought his second and team's third in the 90th minute. NRT could have registered win with a huge margin had they capitalized other goal scoring opportunities. NRT coach Diken Suwal said he was satisfied with performance from his team which is full of new and junior players. Knight Chess coach Basanta Shrestha said his team played under pressure with a top flight club along with ruing the missed opportunities.

In the first quarter-final match of the tournament on Saturday, hosts Sahara Club will take on title favorites Nepal Police Club.