Sherpa registered an extra time 2-0 win over the young guns of Jhapa following a goalless stalemate during the regulation time. Rupesh KC and Som Bahadur Malla scored apiece in the 6th and 10th minute of added time for the Kathmandu based side.[break]
KC gave relief to Sherpa when he lobbed in a freekick from box after Jhapali custodian Bishal Magar and defenders failed to clear it. Malla brillantly headed the second goal off Nabin Neupane’s corner to ensure their victory.
Sherpa will now meet the record four time champions Nepal Police Club in the quarterfinal on Sunday.
Despite frequent attacks from both the sides, none of the sides were able to find the back of net in the regulation time. Jhapa consisting of young and inexperienced players threw a tough challenge.
In the seventh minute, Deepak Rai’s header from the box in Neupane’s pass sailed above the bar for Sherpa and scorer Malla’s powerful 25-yard strike rebounded hitting bar 17 minutes after the interval. In the 76th minute, Jhapa custodian Magar punched a powerful freekick of Sunil Subedi. Allen Oryek of Sherpa was declared the man-of-the-match.
Jhapa as well had intensified attacks from the early moments. Dipak Shrestha’s freekick went inches away from the post in the 10th minute and Deepen Rai and Sanuka Subba also failed to get the target in the 24th and 45th minutes respectively. In the second half too, Jhapa squandered a couple of scoring chances.
Jhapa manager Santosh Adhikari said that they faced defeat due to presence of young and inexperienced players in his side. He, however, expressed satisfaction at the performance of team. Sherpa coach Nirmal Lama could no be happy despite the team’s win. “The boys failed to play up to expectations and the midfield was weak,” Lama said adding that they would come up with an improved performance in the next match.
Namchi Football Club of Sikkim will play against Workers Martyrs Memorial Club of Kathmandu on Thursday.
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