Church Boys' tough win

A goal scored by foreign player Abayomi Fokunle was decisive in Church Boys' victory at the Domalal Rajvanshi Stadium in Birtamode. In the 36th minute of the game, Sajit Rai's pass from inside the box, Fokunle's shot breaking the second bar turned into an attractive goal. After that, neither team could score more goals.

On Tuesday, both teams could not enter a dynamic game. For about half an hour, both teams could not create any chances against each other. In the 10th minute, Church Boys' Fokunle got the ball inside the box and NRT's defenders did not allow it to be used. In the 29th minute, Church Boys' Milan Rai hit the post for the first time. However, his shot was easily controlled by NRT's captain and goalkeeper Pujan Hona.

NRT's Sibe's shot in the 48th minute went into the hands of goalkeeper Deep Karki. In the 61st minute, Church Boys missed an opportunity to double their lead. Fokunle single-handedly advanced the ball that the NRT defender could not clear to the penalty area but failed to hit the post. In the 74th minute, Surajjeo Thakuri of Church Boys wasted the ball trying to set up a pass that should have hit the post.

Afiz Olawale, a foreign player of NRT, did not go to shoot the ball he received in the penalty area in the 76th minute. In the 85th minute, Church Boys' Viju Bhujel beat NRT's goalkeeper Pujan and the ball went wide of the post. NRT coach Jeevan Shikneman was unhappy with his team's performance. He complained that his players did not have any energy. Winning and losing is not a big deal. However, our players could not finish. They played like they had no energy,' he said.

Ruvin Rai, coach of Church Boys, said that despite winning the game, the result was not as expected. He said that four players of the team who came to Jhapa returned to Kathmandu on Monday for the close camp of the national team, so the fast game could not be played on Tuesday. Forward Sameer Tamang, Rajesh Periyar, Midfielder Santosh Khatri and Defender Vishal Basnet of Church Boys have returned to Kathmandu for closed training of the national team. Church Boys' Sajit Rai was named Player of the Match on Tuesday. He received Rs.11,000. Tribhuvan Army Club and Machindra Football Club will compete on Wednesday.

Action taken against APF

Jhapa Gold Cup organizing committee has taken action against APF club. The organizing committee asked the APF for a written explanation and imposed a fine of 11,000 rupees for sending the players to the field in jerseys without the color and number of the players' jerseys.

Vinod Basnet, Chairman of the Gold Cup Organizing Committee, issued a letter on Tuesday and stated that action has been taken for violating the provisions of Section 10 of the Jhapa Gold Cup Competition Regulations. APF fielded three players in unnumbered jerseys against Wagmati Yuva Club on Monday.