By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Nepal APF Football Club came out on top in the departmental derby against Tribhuvan Army Football Club at Chyasal Stadium on Wednesday.
Mani Kumar Lama scored the only goal of the match in the 37th minute to secure a 1-0 win for APF. Despite being the stronger side, Army failed to find the back of the net. They missed a chance to take the lead in the 15th minute when Nawayug Shresha was unable to connect with Padam Tamang’s cross. Bikash Khawas’s attempt from Dinesh Henjan’s cross went just wide in the 20th minute, and Bharat Khawas fired the ball wide in the 28th minute.
In the 29th minute, APF’s Sabin Thapa made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Army from taking the lead.
Mani then surprised Army’s goalkeeper, Bikesh Kuthu, with a sublime goal in the 37th minute. Bipan Shrestha cut in the ball inside the box from the right side of the box, which Mani Lama calmly placed into the net.
Army missed notable opportunities in the second half as well, with Mani’s goal ultimately proving to be the decider. APF’s goalkeeper, Anjan Shrestha, easily collected Dinesh Henjan’s free-kick in the 58th minute, and Sanish Shrestha cleared out Bharat Khawas’s cross in the 77th minute to take all three points home.
