After shining at Lalit Memorial U18, young players target senior team

Kathmandu, Jan.1:The Lalit Memorial ANFA U-18 Youth League 2024 concluded on Tuesday with Nepal Police Club lifting the trophy at ANFA Complex in Satdobato, Lalitpur. 

Nepal Police Club (NPC) were declared the champion on December 24 when they defeated Church Boys United (CBU) and ensured that no other team could surpass their points. Thus, despite losing the final league match against New Road Team (NRT) on Tuesday, NPC went on to lift the trophy.

On the other hand, the last win was a boon for NRT, a club that celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2024, as they finished second in the League where a team played 22 games each. Had they lost, Sankata FC might have finished second.

Playing the first of the last two games on Tuesday, Sankata made a comeback against APF to climb to the third position from fourth. Trailing 1-0 until the first half, Sankata ended the game 3-1 in their favour and finished the tournament with a bronze. 

“We were aiming for the second spot so we gave our all to win the last game. However, we are happy with our overall performance and finishing third,” said Krishna Bahadur Ale of Sankata.

Ale was the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament. He scored 14 goals for the team.

“Personally, I am very happy because, to date, this MvP award is the biggest achievement in football for me. This has motivated me further,” Ale told The Rising Nepal.

Ale was selected to represent Nepal at the SAFF U17 Men’s Championship in September in Bhutan as well. However, he has set his eyes on a bigger goal now. 

“Now, my target is to enter the national team and represent my country at the senior most level as soon as possible,” said Ale.

Alongside Ale, players like Subash Bam, Sabin Kumar Lungeli Magar and Bigyan Khadka were selected to the U-17 team based on their performance in the first phase of the U-18 league in July and August. 

Bam, who captained Nepal Police Club (NPC) to win the trophy, was the leading goal scorer in the League and was feted with the golden boot. Bam scored 23 goals throughout the tournament. He scored two goals each in seven games and a four-goal haul against APF. 

Talking to journalists after lifting the trophy in the presentation ceremony, Bam also stressed his desire to play for the senior team and help the country achieve greater heights in football.

Bam was followed by NRT’s Santosh Gongba (18 goals) and Three Star’s Roman Shrestha (17 goals).

“The U18 league provided a platform for the clubs to produce new players. Nepal Police used to produce many national players in the past but it is not the case now. Yet, we plan to return to our previous glory with this new bunch of youngstrs,” said Bhola Nath Silwal, head coach of NPC.

On the other hand, Sankata’s Sabin Kumar Lungeli Magar was the hero in the midfield. Magar had 21 assist and 10 goals in the League. Three Star’s Ayushman Lo. Tamang was adjudged as the best goalkeeper while Tribhvan Army Club bagged the fair play award. 

Nevertheless, the NPC received a winning prize of Rs. 100,000 with trophy and gold medals while second-placed NRT got Rs. 50,000 and silver medals. 

“The platform was great but the ANFA should guarantee that the league takes place annually without obstruction. If not, clubs cannot prepare well. There is much more to do in club football in Nepal because the sector is still unmanaged and lacks proper rules and regulations,” said Sandeep Khadka, head coach of Khumaltar FC.

Khumaltar finished 11th out of 12 teams in the League. Khumaltar had to forfeit their final League match against Army on Monday after they were left with insufficient players.  

“Under-age leagues should be consistent. We have great talents at grassroots. We need to identify them and provide a quality stage to improve and showcase their skills,” Khadka told The Rising Nepal.