Hong Kong Nepalese Football Association beats Clearing Football Club of Bhutan

POKHARA, OCT 30 -

Hong Kong Nepalese Football Association (HKNFA) beat Clearing Football Club (CFC) of Bhutan 2-0 to secure a semi-final berth in the third Safal Pokhara Cup here on Tuesday.

Second half goals from Suraj Raut and Victor Naji set up Hong Kong’s win and ensured their place in the last four. Hong Kong created the first meaningful attack when Sujan Rana fired a powerful shot straight at the CFC goalkeeper Bishal Rai after pouncing on Prakash Thapa’s perfectly weighted through ball in the 12th minute.

Rai was called into action again when Naji found space in the box but the goalkeeper got hold of the ball to deny him an opportunity to release a shot in the 20th minute. Both the teams then failed to create any noteworthy goal scoring efforts in the first half.

But Hong Kong broke the deadlock in the 50th minute with Raut capitalising on Rai’s error. Rai fumbled the ball inside the area in an attempt to save Yugal Kishore Rai’s swirling goal-bound effort giving the unmarked Raut an easy tap chance.

The top flight Bhutanese team desperately searched for an equaliser but always looked vulnerable on the counter attack. Hong Kong’s swift counter move exposed Bhutan’s defence when Naji, who had netted an impressive hat-trick against Nepal U-16 team earlier in the tournament, ran clear of the backline to guide the ball past keeper Rai in the 91st minute.

Hong Kong coach Rajiv Hirachan was satisfied to get the win despite a disappointing first half performance from his team. “I was surprised to see my players play so poor game in the first half,” said Hirachan adding that they wasted numerous scoring opportunities. “But we found our rhythm in the second period and created more chances which, thankfully, we were able to convert,” added Hirachan.

Hong Kong, will now take on tournament favourites Three Star Club for a place in the championship match on Thursday but they will be without Naji, who is suspended for the match for his second bookable offence on Tuesday. Bhutan coach Bimal Mukhiya Lama blamed his team’s travel schedule for his team’s below par performance.

source: ekantipur.com