The winner of 4th Aaha Gold Cup Football Tournament, African United Club (AUC), survived the ANFA rookies scare, sealing the match 2-1 in the 8th Buddha Subba Gold Cup Football Tournament at Dharan today.
AUC, that assembled MMC’s Nurudeen and Emoh Daniel after clinching the Aaha title, was sluggish against ANFA rookies, but took a lead through Nurudeen Salau in the 15th minute. Salau scored through his flick header utilizing the cross off Mahabir’s IK Okushie from the right flank. Skipper and goalie Rupak Shrestha was late to judge the ball, which kissed the net flying over his head.
ANFA rookies did not give up hope, instead fought hard and restored parity off AUC’s Iaisah Ologun’s blunder allowing Ranjit Shrestha to score an easy goal. Ologun tried to dribble past Ranjit at the edge of box but faltered and Ranjit scored in the 26th minute. This happened right after Chetan Ghimire’s shot was half cleared by goalie Uche Onyebule.
Two minutes later, the referee pointed for a controversial spot kick when Rabin Shrestha unintentionally handled the ball inside the box. Obabgbemiro Junior scored with a powerful spot kick giving his team a 2-1 lead.
After the re-start, the ANFA boys labored hard to tame the African team and attacked, but to no avail. Emoh Daniel nearly got a goal in the 55th minute but his tricky shot was saved by Rupak Shrestha.
In the 57th minute, playmaker Ranjit Shrestha was fouled hard on his knees, but no card was given by referee Amber Bahadur Pokhrel. Play had to be stopped for six minutes with the ANFA side objecting the referee’s non-decision.
AUC played a physical game rather than a technical one as they were bereft from creating goal scoring chances in the second-half.
The ANFA boys, that defeated Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan a few months ago to be selected for AFC U-17 Asia Cup to be held in Singapore in September this year, tried hard to equalize but the final whistle blew their hopes to stand for the title clash.
The hard fought win for AUC set a semifinal date with Knight Chess Club on Thursday.
“We lacked coordination and they (ANFA) played a superb game,” AUC captain Obabgbemiro Junior told reporters. ANFA coach Diken Suwal was upset with the referee decision, but appreciated his teams performance. “We need goals in football,” Suwal said and added, “I am happy with my boys.”
On Wednesday, Mahendra Police Club will lock horns against hosts Dharan FC for the final spot.