After UAE win, Nepal in maiden T20 final

KATHMANDU, APR 03 -Nepal overcame the challenge of United Arab Emirates by six wickets on Tuesday to reach the final of the ACC Twenty20 Cup for the first time in four attempts. Egged on by a vociferous home crowd, Nepal chased down the 134-run target in 19.1 overs at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. After making early exits in the first two editions, Nepal reached the tournament’s semi-finals last year before going down to Afghanistan. Nepal now have a perfect opportunity to avenge that defeat when the two sides meet in Wednesday’s summit clash.

“I am sure we can defeat Afghanistan if we repeat today’s performance,” Nepal coach Pubudu Dassanayake said after the match. “I think our aim of playing at higher level is slowly but surely materialising.” Left hand opener Pradeep Airee completed his second fifty of the tournament, putting on 61 runs with Subash Khakurel for the first wicket to set up a solid platform to exact revenge on UAE, which had thrashed Nepal by six wickets in the group stage in the last tournament. UAE bowler Ahmed Fayyaz snared a couple of wickets that left the hosts requiring 24 runs from the last three overs. But some big hitting from Binod Bhandari relieved the pressure before captain Paras Khadka brought his team home in 19.1 overs to the raucous reception from the crowd. Airee shared man of the match award with off spinner Prithu Baskota who had earlier picked three wickets to restrict UAE to 133/9. “I would like to thank the crowd for their overwhelming support that acted as an extra player,” said Khadka, counting on the home comfort again in the final.

“We have already accomplished the initial target, securing a berth in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. Winning the trophy is the next goal.”

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Nepal hammers 6 past Northern Mariana Island

KATHMANDU, MAR 02 -

Nepal ended their international goal scoring drought in style when they hammered six past Northern Mariana Island in the AFC Challenge Cup Group D Qualifiers at Dasharath Stadium on Saturday.

It was a memorable day especially for striker Bharat Khawas who scored a hat-trick against the little known islanders. Khawas opened his and Nepali account after barely three minutes into the game when he capitalized a pass from Jagjeet Shrestha to head the first goal. Shrestha was again involved in the second goal that came off Santosh Sahukhala when his pass was headed by the Three Star Club striker in the 30th minute. Khawas then made it three for Nepal with four minutes to the half-time when he was left unmarked at the end of Rabin Shrestha's cross.

Nepal continued their scoring streak in the second half through Raju Tamang's spot kick. Tamang scored his second international goal for the country in the 60th minute through the penalty kick after Jagjeet was brought down inside the 18-yard area. Defender Sandeep Rai soon joined the party after eight minutes of Tamang's goal when his powerful right-footed shot from outside the penalty area took the direction to the net.

Khawas then completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute after skipper Sagar Thapa got pass two defenders and fed it to the Nepal Army Club hitman to earn a brilliant cap for Nepali football.

Northern Mariana Island had a day to forget as they could not manage a single shot on target.

Earlier in the first game of the day, Palestine toiled hard to earn a laboring 1-0 victory over Bangladesh in the same venue.

Haytham Theeb scored the only goal in the 67th minute to earn the vital three points for his team.

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Three Star champions

POKHARA, FEB 03 -

Three Star broke the hearts of 15 thousand home crowd to lift the title of Rara Aaha Golf Cup on Saturday.

League leaders Three Star, who had also won the trophy of the mofussil’s most popular football tournament back in 2008 and 2011, edged hosts Sahara 1-0 in the final to emerge champions for the third time.

The confident Sahara side who were playing the title decider for the first time did well to contain the Patan outfit with their stern defense until Femi Joshua’s header seven minutes from time denied the hosts a chance of creating history.

Joshua had headed a rebound ball from the near post after substitute Anil Gurung had headed Jeevan Sinkeman’s corner kick. Sahara goalkeeper Ajit Prajapati, who was later adjudged best goalkeeper,  stretched his fingers to push a ball little wide, and it went on  to hit the crossbar, but the ball ricocheted off the crossbar only to find Joshua.

Incidentally, Joshua was sent-off after he recieved his second yellow card in the dying minutes of the match.

Sahara, having defeated Tribhuvan Army, who are second in the A Division League, third placed Machhindra and Manang Marshyangdi Club (fifth) on their way to the final, were unable to repeat the match winning performance. In contrast to the previous games, the home team concentrated more on defense and failed to capitalise on the few chances that came their way.

Along with the winners’ trophy Three Star pocketed a cash prize of Rs 351,000 while Sahara received Rs 2,50,000. Sahara’s goalie Prajapati adjudged tournament’s best player and he recived a TVS motorcycle along with Rs 10,000 for his feat.

Three Star’s coach Pradeep Humagain said the winner’s trophy was the result of the hard work his boys had done.

“We were able to execute our plan into action,” jubilant Humagain said, “We had planed not to let Sahara’s foreign players settle down.” This is Humagain’s first trophy after taking over the team four months ago.

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