APF edge past Morang, enter quarters

Players of Morang-XI and Nepal APF Club (right) vie for the ball during their fourth Mugmug Jhapa Gold Cup match in Birtamod on Sunday. Photo: THT

Jhapa, March 3

Nepal APF Club registered a 1-0 victory over Morang-XI and advanced to the quarter-finals of the fourth Mugmug Jhapa Gold Cup here at the Domalal Stadium grounds in Birtamod today.

The match was disrupted after nine minutes when APF protested saying three of the Morang players were contracted by other clubs. As Morang failed to produce release papers of the players, the organisers were not able to restart the match The match resumed only after high-ranking officials of Nepal APF directed his team to play. The departmental side took lead in the ninth minute of the first half injury time. Hari Karki found the back of the nets with a flick header following a pass from Ramesh Dangal at a time when Morang custodian Kishor Giri was not at his proper position. Karki was named the man of the match and he earned Rs 15,000.

AOF coach Ratna Kaji Maharjan defended his team’s decision of protesting against three players from Morang. “We appealed against the players as per the rules of FIFA,” he said. “It was a difficult win as we have been playing matches without break,” said Maharjan.

Morang coach Sanjeev Budhathoki said the players were under mental pressure after the protest against us.

“We formed the team with players from different clubs and placed. And they lacked coordination,” said the former national team defender.

On Monday, hosts Jhapa- XI will take on Hong Kong Nepalese Academy.

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