Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 13:

United Kurseong Football Club (UKFC) of India came from a goal-defecit to beat Mahabir Club 2-1 in the currently underway Birthday Cup football tournament, which has been organised by All Nepal Football Association on the occasion of the 59th birthday of King Gyanendra, here at Dasharath Stadium today. UKFC’s Jiten Rai scored one and set another for William Pradhan, while Amar Pun netted a goal for Mahabir Club. UKFC will now face Tribhuvan Army Club on June 15 for a place in the quarter-finals. Mahabir Club took lead in the 38th minute through Amar Pun. Taking the advantage of a defensive error, Pun scored in an open net when Mahabir goalkeeper Min Basnet came forward to collect the ball. But the home team’s joy did not last long, as UKFC levelled the scores in the next minute through Jiten Rai. Crispin Chhetri, who along with Jiten was a member of Three Star Club when they won the national league in 1997, set the ball for Jiten, who did not make any mistake in firing the ball into the net from close range.

As both the teams were pressing for goals, UKFC beat the home team in the 62nd minute. William Pradhan scored for the visiting team following a long pass from his teammate Jiten Rai. Ajay Thapa of Mahabir Club and Kumar Nangrati and Prem Rai of UKFC were cautioned with yellow cards. UKFC almost took lead in the first minute, but Mahabir Club goalkeeper Min Basnet saved Jiten Rai’s close-range attempt. In the 15th minute, Mahabir Club had a stroke of luck as Krishna Sharu’s head-pass to his goalkeeper Min Basnet hit the side bar. Basnet had come forward to save the strike, but Sharu did not notice him and sent the header towards the goal post. In a dramatic move, both the defender and goalkeeper chased, but the ball rebounded into play after hitting the post. On Tuesday, Mahendra Police Club will take on Machhindra Club.