The All Nepal Football Association has taken action against Sachyam Nagar Youth Club (SNYC) and Khumaltar Youth Club (KYC) for their unsporting behaviour during their match in the Martyrs’ Memorial C Division League on Wednesday.

The match between the two sides ended in a violent way after KYC President Sahadev Raut and the coaching staff of the club manhandled SNYC player Dinesh Shahi. The football association slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 to Khumaltar and Rs 5,000 to Sachyam.

Refereeing course concludes
The Anfa Referee Training Program held in Abukhairani, Tanahu, concluded on Wednesday. Anfa refereeing instructor Budhi Bahadur Gurung gave valuable information to the participating referees while Kiran Giri and Sailesh Joshi provided them with guidelines to achieving top fitness. In addition to this, Anfa also presented the participants with Rs 5000 each.

Iceberg Madhyapur Youth Association and Machhindra Football Club won their respective matches in the ongoing Ncell Cup football tournament played at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Madhyapur defeated Armed Police Force 1-0 with Nirajan Rayamajhi's single goal in the 30th minute.

Similarly, Machhindra thrashed New Road Team (NRT) 2-1 making their hopes alive for the next round of the tournament.

Though NRT were leading the match through the early goal from Sushil K.C in the 19th minute Macchindra’s Deepak Rai leveled the score in the 53rd minute and Karna Limbu scored a winning goal in the injury time of the second half.

NRT are out of the tournament with today’s defeat as they had also lost against Army 5-0 in their earlier match. Meanwhile, Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club entered into quarter-finals.

Bhola Silwal’s second half goal gave Nepal a face saving 1-1 draw against Bangladesh in a friendly at the Dashrath stadium on Thursday.

Silwal scored at the hour’s mark to cancel out Zahid Hossain’s 43rd minute lead for the visitors who were a far better side than the last time the two sides met at the SAFF Championship in New Delhi in 2010.

Coach Krishna Thapa fielded a different attacking lineup than his usual choice of Jumanu Rai and Anil Gurung. He paired U-16 prodigy Bimal Gharti Magar with Bharat Khawas up front. But Thapa’s strategy backfired as Magar could do nothing beneficial for the team. Khawas, on the other hand, was unable to handle things on his own.

With Nepal lacking creativity up front despite occasional raids in the Bangla territory, the visitors made the best of the inability by making as many counter attacks they could. They finally got their reward when Hossain broke free from the patchy Nepali defense and made a darting run with only keeper Kiran Chemjong standing on his way.

A panic-stricken Chemjong left his boundaries to avert the danger but brought down Hossain as well in the attempt. In the resulting free kick, charged from just outside the D-box, Hossain curled his effort beyond the five-man Nepali defense, beating Chemjong at his near post.

Thapa made a couple of changes in his squad after the interval. Bijay Gurung entered the field in place of Raju Tamang and Jumanu Rai replaced Magar. Things improved instantly.

Nepal brought the game back in level terms in the 61st minute when Biraj Maharjan’s low cross from the right was spilled by ‘keeper Mohammad Maksudur Rahman, allowing Silwal to shoot home from close range. Nepal dominated the field thereafter but the score remained the same.

Having set up Nepal’s convincing victory over Malaysia, Shakti Gauchan came back to the pavilion oblivious of a new record that he has set. 

The left-arm orthodox spinner figures of 10-8-2-3 in their ICC Division Four match on Thursday was the best economical bowling spell ever in limited over internationals.

“Really! I set a new record,” Shakti reacted in delight when this scribe approached him to tell him of the feat. 2    1
Had it been an one-day international (ODI) match, he would have shifted West Indies’ Phil Simmons to the second place. Simmons’ figures of 10-8-3-4 against Pakistan in 1992 stands as the best in the ODIs.

“Today’s performance came as a result of teamwork. I want to give my team full credit for this haul,” he humbly said.

Coach Pubudu Dassanayake was ecstatic with the team’s performance, especially Shakti’s. “Setting a record in an international stage shows us that a player has great potential. Shakti is one of those players.”
Captain Paras Khadka was also full of praise for Shakti. “Shakti is an indispensable part of the team. With his experience and talent, he is an asset for any team.”

A native of Bhairahawa, Shakti had claimed a hat-trick against Denmark in the ICC T20 qualifiers in UAE last year. The next highlight of his career was when he was called up by IPL team, Rajasthan Royals, for a week long training session. At Rajasthan, Shakti impressed the likes of Indian great Rahul Dravid.

There was a time when the sub-continent was mystery, assigned darker and more exotic shades than even we were aware of. It was the land of the unknown, rendered even more so by inventive prose. You got the feeling that visiting teams were waiting for the unexpected, peculiarly they expected it, and almost ready to succumb to it. Either they weren’t aware of how to combat the conditions or, more likely, were just unwilling to. A cricket tour in our part of the world brought out the best in the cricket writers, rarely in the cricketers.

A couple of days ago I saw two giant New Zealanders, they of the land that had seemed beyond the unknown to us, understand the sub-continent like it were their own. And it suddenly struck me that the mystique had gone. Jacob Oram and James Franklin seemed so at ease that they might have been bowling at Eden Park, indeed that Eden Park might seem as familiar as the Feroz Shah Kotla! The world had shrunk and India was now the playground of the cricket world. Two New Zealanders had beaten India playing an Indian game!

And so, as the World T20 begins across the Palk Strait, I wonder if knowledge of local conditions is a qualification anymore; whether slow bowlers who take the pace off the ball speak only in our accents. Wristy players with exotic shots now hail from Ireland, mystery spinners from Trinidad and even those from Dunedin and Hobart are increasingly at home in Pallekele and Visakhapatnam.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been named captain of ICC's 'ODI Team of the Year' which also includes Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir.

This is for the fifth consecutive year in a row that Dhoni has been selected in ICC's 'ODI Team of the Year'.

A specially appointed five-member selection panel headed by former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd selected a 12-member team that includes three Indians, two Australians Michael Clarke and Shane Watson, Pakistanis Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal, Sri Lankans Kumar Sangakkara and Lasith Malinga, Englishmen Alastair Cook and Steven Finn. Morne Morkel is the only South African.

The ICC Chief Executive David Richardson announced the 'Squad' at a special function ahead of the LG ICC Awards ceremony which is being held tomorrow night at the Waters Edge, Colombo. The LG ICC Awards recognise the best international players and officials of the past 12 months.

Apart from Lloyd, the other members of the panel were former Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu, former West Indies skipper Carl Hooper, Australian all-rounder Tom Moody and former England women's team captain Clare O'Connor.

ICC ODI Team of the Year (Batting Order)

Gautam Gambhir (Ind), Alastair Cook (Eng), Kumar Sangakkara (SL), Virat Kohli (Ind), MS Dhoni (Ind,wicketkeeper/captain), Michael Clarke (Aus), Shahid Afridi (Pak), Morne Morkel (SA), Steven Finn (Eng), Lasith Malinga (SL), Saeed Ajmal (Pak); 12th Man Shane Watson (Aus).

Vishnu Vardhan scripted a clinical singles victory and then combined with Divij Sharan to win the heart-stopping doubles rubber as India's young guns lived up to the expectations by winning the Davis Cup Group 1 relegation play-off tie against New Zealand here today.

Keeping their slate clean on the back of some superb performances by the youngsters, India have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Asia/Oceania tie at the CLTA tennis stadium.

The result meant that India will stay in the Asia/Oceania Group in the 2013 season and will strive to regain entry into the elite 16-team World Group.

Vishnu took just 31 minutes in the morning to complete the win against Jose Statham in the second singles, which was halted yesterday due to fading light.

Up by two sets, Vishnu roared to a 6-2 6-7(5) 6-4 6-2 win against the Kiwi number one player, ranked 55 places below him at 317.

He then paired up with Divij, playing in his debut Davis Cup match, to edge past the Kiwi duo of Michael Venus and Daniel King-Tuner 7-6 (3) 4-6 6-3 6-7 (4) 6-3 in the marathon third rubber, which lasted three hours and 52 minutes.

The two doubles team dished out high quality tennis and it needed nerves of steel to come through the pressure game. Fortunes fluctuated and both teams had chances to outdo each other, but the Kiwis could not capitalise on the opportunities.

The experience of playing together on the Challenger Tour helped Vishnu and Divij as good chemistry often plays a vital role in tight matches.

Virat Kohli has been named ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year 2012 at the LG ICC Awards here on Saturday.

During the performance period, Kohli played 31 ODIs and compiled 1,733 runs at an average of 66.65, including eight centuries and six half-centuries. His highest score, 183, came against Pakistan in the Asia Cup on 18 March 2012.

The independent voting academy of 32 highly credentialed cricket experts put Kohli first, ahead of such talented and in-form players as Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and Lasith Malinga as well as Kohli’s India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Kohli said upon receiving the honour: “I think I have tried to keep things as simple as possible and it’s worked for me on the field. This year has been a learning curve along the way from the seniors in the team. It’s been an all-round effort and I’m very happy to have won this award.

“It’s always nice to be recognized by the ICC and it’s a great feeling and it’s the first time I’ve won one of these awards and it feels great.”

Based on the period between 4 August 2011 and 6 August 2012, the LG ICC Awards 2012 take into account performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the game.

For all the individual awards (with the exceptions of the Spirit of Cricket Award and the Umpire of the Year), a long-list compiled by the selection panel was forwarded to a 32-person Voting Academy made up of former players, respected members of the media, an elite umpire and an elite match referee. They voted on a three, two, one basis (with three being the highest value) and the winners emerged.

Nepal defeated host Sri Lanka 3-0 in the semi-final match to advance to the final of the ongoing second SAFF Women's Championship 2012 played at CR&FC Grounds, Colombo in Sri Lanka on Friday.

Anu Lama scored an opening goal in the 48th minute while Dipa Adhikari doubled the tally in the 76th minute and Laxmi Poudel made it 3-0 through a penalty kick awarded in the injury time.

Now, Nepal will take on India in the final match of the tournament.

KATHMANDU, SEP 08 -

Nepal started their SAAF Women's Championship campaign with a thumping 8-0 victory against Pakistan at CARN AFC Ground in Colombo on Saturday.


Nepali Skipper Jamuna Gurung was the star player who scored four goals. Gurung had completed her hat-trick within 37 minutes and scored all her goals before the half-time mark. With a total of 21 goals in her name, Gurung has become the highest scorer for the country.

Another striker Anu Lama scored a brace while mid-fielder Sajana Rana Magar and Dipa Adhikari bagged a goal each to complete the humiliation in the one-sided game.


This is not the only the first instance that Nepal has defeated their South-Asain neighbours in a ruthless fashion. Earlier, Nepal had defeated Pakistan 12-0 in the first SAFF Women’s Championship and 7-0 in the 11th South Asian Games in Bangladesh in 2010.

The second Women’s SAFF Championship will run till September 16 in Colombo.

 MALAYSIA, SEP 02


With an aspiration of securing their place for the 2015 Cricket World Cup, six associated nations, belonging to division four, have gathered in Malaysia with common aim of at least making up to the finals. The two finalists will ascend to the  division three, a step towards playing the World Cup.

A brief glance at the six associate nations, vying in the ICC World Cricket League Division Four, scheduled to commence from Today.

Nepal: Despite failing to realise their dream of playing in the World Cup in 16 long years, Nepal remain one of the title contenders in the tournament after their powerful performance in the World Twenty20 championship. Nepal, who finished seventh among 16 teams, changed the perception of their opponents with an impressive all-round display. Shakti Gauchan completed a hat-trick, while skipper Paras Khadka was one of the top scorers in the championship. Khadka was also adjudged man of the match in three games. Nepal remain optimistic in climbing the ladder as the players have had international exposure. Skipper Khadka will be looking to carry the momentumfrom the Canadian Cricket League while pacers duo Amrit Bhattarai and Chandra Sawad have gained valuable experience after playing in the Sri Lankan League. Shakti Gauchan also seems high in spirit after being called by Indian Premier League franchise, Rajasthan Royals for a trial session.      

Denmark: Denmark had ascended to the division four after finishing fifth in the last year’s division three league held in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, Denmark went on to uplift the trophy of ICC European Division one Championship after defeating Italy in the final. Denmark had a gloomy run at UAE in the ICC Twenty20 qualification, finishing 15th among the 16-team event.

United States of America: Though Nepal had defeated USA in the finals of the division five league in 2010 in Kathmandu, USA successfully climbed up to division three after becoming the winner of division four while Nepal failed to do so. Nevertheless, USA had a bumpy ride in the division three, finishing last in the six team championship. Nevertheless, the USA remain the strong contender of the championship citing the experience of the division three.

Tanzania: Tanzania, who were demoted to division four after finishing sixth in division, have remained in the league since 2008. Tanzania, who became hurdle for Nepal in progressing in the  division three in the last edition, remained in the same  division after finishing fourth in home.

Singapore: Singapore also qualify in being one of the strongest team in the competition with their experienced and young players. Moreover, Singapore enjoys the guidance of former Australian cricketer Trover Chappel.

Malaysia: Hosts Malaysia will be aiming to climb to division three amid the advantage of home crowd. Malaysia will be banking upon their bowler with a killer instinct; Hiran Ralaj. Malaysia are backed by former Nepal’s coach Roy Luke Dias, who will be hoping to  give Malaysia division three success, which he failed while he was Nepal’s coach.

nepal’s squad

•    Paras Khadka

•    Prithu Baskota

•    Binod Das

•    Subash Khakurel

•    Sanjam Regmi

•    Sharad Vesawkar

•    Pradeep Airee

•    Amrit Bhattarai

•    Shakti Gauchan

•    Gyanendra Malla

•    Anil Mandal

•    Basanta Regmi

•    Chandra Sawad

•    Rahul Vishwakarma

KATHMANDU, SEP 02 -

Sansar Gurung’s brace sent Army School Bhaktapur into the final in the Coca-Cola Inter-school football tournament after their 2-0 win over Army School Pokhara in the semi-finals match on Saturday. Likewise, in the second semi-final match played between Pathfinder School Kathmandu and Him Shikhar School Sunsari, Yusuf Rai’s lone goal in 67th goal helped the former set the final date with Army Bhaktapur.

In the girls’ category, Nirmala Upadhyaya scored a hat-trick for Deep Jyoti Vidhyashram Banke as they defeated Tops Higher Secondary Pokhara 3-1.  Deep Jyoti will meet JP High School Kathmandu in the final, who beat Public Higher Secondary Sunsari 4-3 in the tie-breakers after the regulation time ended in goalless draw.