Three Star come from a goal down to win 2-1

Zikaki Leonce Dodoz scored a late winner as Three Star Club came from a goal down to defeat Armed Police Force (APF) 2-1 in the Gurkha Cup at Dashrath Stadium on Monday. Three  Star sailed into the quarter-finals with the win as group ‘B’ winners while the departmental side crashed out of the tournament.

 APF needed to win against Three Star to stay in the competition and their hopes were kept alive when Ganesh Kumar Lawati put them in the driving seat early in the match. However, APF took a huge blow when they were reduced to ten men after Bhim Bahadur Shrestha was given the marching order. Bijay Gurung equalised through a controversial free-kick awarded to Three Star. The tides turned as Dodoz scored in the closing minutes for Three Star.

 APF coach, Janak Singh Tharu was resolute that they had lost the match due to poor decisions made by the referee and that they should have qualified for the next round. “There were many poor decisions made by the referee against us and we had to pay dearly when we conceded the equaliser from the free-kick which should not have been given,” lamented Tharu. “Still our players played well even though we were a man short but the turning point was when we lost our lead.” Lawati opened his account in the ninth minute to put APF front when he dispatched a powerful volley which Three Star custodian, Kiran Chemjong had no chance to save.

Three Star were unable to create any effective breakthroughs in the first half but soon after the break their endeavour for a comeback took a turn for the better after Bhim was sent-off for receiving a second yellow card in the 47th minute. Making full use of their advantage, Three Star resorted into full offensive strategy, penetrating APF defense with ease. Dodoz cut across from the left flank to Santosh Shahukhala, whose shot missed the post by a yard while minutes later Jagjeet Shrestha saw his scorcher from the edge of the box fly inches wide of the mark.

In the 80th minute Three Star were awarded with an indirect free-kick inside the penalty box after APF goalie Amrit Kumar Choudhary was penalised for catching the ball twice. Fully utilizing such an opportunity, Shahukhala curled the free-kick and substitute Bijay Gurung headed home to equalise.

APF adjusted their defensive tactics and restored their offensive movements to search for that all important winner. However, their struggle was cut short when Dodoz found the back of the net for Three Star in the 84th minute. Jagjeet lofted inside a cross from the right which was half cleared by Choudhary and Gurung fancied his chances but the ball flew across to land in front of Dodoz, who directed the ball neatly to the bottom corner of the post.

Three Star coach, Pradip Humagain commented that tactical changes in the second half enhanced their performance. “We didn’t not play as expected in the first half but second was way better. The red card also granted us a slight advantage and by bringing in Bijay we found the equaliser.”

Meanwhile, Suman Lama completed hat-trick as Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) joined Three Starr in the quarter-finals as group ‘B” runners-up after they hammered Deshbhakta Youth Club 5-0

Labels: Sports