Day 1 (Qualification Round)

Gurkha FC 0 – 2 Saudi Tigers
Gurkha FC suffered their first defeat in a long time after losing 2 – 0 down to the Saudi Tigers in the Asian Uni Games’ first round group match. GFC never really settled down throughout the match as the Saudis with their fluid movements and good team play dominated in the first half.

A quick break down our right flank was finished off superbly by their striker leaving our goalie with no chance. The second goal was controversial as a penalty was conceded from seemingly out of nothing.
Andrew had challenged for a loose 50-50 ball, against one of their players, in our penalty box and had cleared the ball, albeit with a high boot. The referee awarded a penalty for this action. Our protests fell on deaf ears and their striker swiftly dispatched the penalty to the despairing dive of our keeper.

2 – 0 down in half time didn’t help with the players’ confidence and although we played better in the 2^nd half, a lack of finishing as well as the Saudis possession play resulted in GFC losing for the first time in 9 games. Things could only get better as this was definitely not the Gurkhay way of playing footy!!

Gurkha FC 1 – 0 Thailand
(Pata)

In the second match of the group stages, GFC was pitted against the Thai team, whom we have had a couple of friendlies; losing both times. This was a game in which both sides were evenly matched as GFC kept pressing for a goal and the Thai team responding just as well. It was Pata who broke the deadlock with a sweet strike from outside the penalty box which curled into the goalie’s right hand corner. 1 – 0 up to GFC!!! The Thai team replied with a series of attacks which were broken down well by our defence, one of them in particular a thunderous shot which our goalie managed to divert over the bar.

After the second half, the Thai team continued pressing for their equalizer but GFC was equal to the task as well, responding with a number of attacks which just did not seem to end up in the net. GFC had a couple of scares as one of the Thais long range shots was tipped over the bar and another through ball was saved with the outstretched leg of our goalie. The final whistle for the game blew and GFC breathed a sigh of relief as we knew that we had just managed to scrape by for the win.

Gurkha FC 3 – 1 Indonesia
Manish (3)

GFC won the last of their group matches with a 3 – 1 victory over Indonesia. Manish, who’s becoming something of a goal machine, scored a hat-trick ensuring that GFC progressed into the next round of the competition. The assists for the first two goals were provided by Gakul, from a free kick, and Bikram, from a corner, with Manish scoring with his head on both occasions. Manish’s third goal was created by himself as he latched onto a pass and dozed his way to goal. 3 – 0 to GFC within the first half!!

The 2^nd half was played out in a slow mannered fashion as the Indonesians were continually frustrated by GFC’s keep ball tactics. On their one rare occasion which they did threaten, Thulo made a few decent stop but injured his shoulder. He signaled to the referee about his injury, but the referee instead blew for a free kick to the Indonesians in the penalty box; his reasoning was that the keeper held onto the ball for too long. Their player drove the ball past the Gurkhay wall and into the net to make the final score 3 – 1. Not a good way to concede a goal, but a good lesson learnt for the keeper. Throw the ball out in an event of an injury to oneself.

In any case GFC qualified for the next round of competition to be held on the following day. This achievement was blighted by the fact that there were a few injuries suffered on the day, Amar (thigh), Bikram (knee), Shin (nose), Sunil (ankle) and Thulo (shoulder). GFC struggles on.

Day 2 (Round 2 to Finals)

Day 2 of the competition was another group stage competition, with only the top team progressing into the semis. As runners up in our group from the previous day, we had to play against one third placed and another first placed team from another group, these being Hong Kong and Somalia.

Gurkha FC 1 – 0 Hong Kong
(Manish)

Our first game on the 2^nd round was against Hong Kong, who was basically a revamped SkyWind team from the South Side League. They had a number of new players including a trio of gorays. In any case, we still dominated them, but never got close to scoring the number of goals which we did in the league. With Thulo out injured with a shoulder injury, and only available as a limited outfield player, it was left to Saurav to play as a keeper although he had next to naught experience in the position. In any case, Manish finished off the tie with a well taken goal with GFC dominating both halves. Saurav did well enough as keeps with a couple of good catches.

Gurkha FC 1 – 1 Somalia
(Manish)

The second game was a trickier tie with the larger and more physical Somalian side. Manish was the scorer again with the Somalians scoring from a controversial penalty. Everyone agreed that the referee for this game was totally inexperienced and probably biased as he let the Somalians get away with most fouls whilst stopping play whenever any of GFC players committed minor ones. The conceded penalty, although it was a foul, was committed outside the box but since the player landed in the area, the referee deemed it to be a penalty. The Somalian striker duly obliged in putting the ball in the back of the net.

Gurkha FC 1 – 0 Somalia (Replay)
(Manish)

With GFC and Somalia tied for top place, it was decided that a replay would be played to decide who should progress to the semis. The GFC players were really geared up for this, what with a sense of injustice that they felt from the prior game. The game was much more pleasing to watch as well as the players played with more purpose keeping possession of the ball although not creating the chances required. The scorer for this game was once again Manish. With the goal in our pocket, it was left to GFC to play out the game with a sensible play of keep ball and making the opposition run, something which the Somalians did plenty of. In any case, this was a great win for the team and a definite morale booster. GFC progresses to the Semis!

Semi Finals

Gurkha FC 0 – 0 China
(lost 3 – 4 on penalties)

GFC was pitted against China in the semis with the final score being a goalless draw. In between, there was a heated argument with some of the Chinese players which definitely spoilt our players’ tempo and rhythm. That being the case, not many chances were created by either side as both seemed to be evenly matched although the Chinese were the bigger and more physical side. The match eventually ended goalless and thus resulted in the dreaded penalty shootout.

As Saurav had practically no experience, up stepped Shin to take the keepers spot for the shootout. We kicked off the penalty shootout with Gakul, Manish and Pata scoring the first of our three kicks and the Chinese players responding in kind. Our fourth kicker was Shin who had his shot saved by the Chinese stopper; they scored their next. We were 3 – 4 down and we had to score the next one to be in the tie. Amar stepped up and his shot was also save splendidly by the Chinese keeper. With that being that, GFC lost the shootout and were denied a berth in the Finals.

Gurkha FC 0 – 1 Hong Kong United

There was still 3^rd place up for grabs, but with most of the players injured, excessively tired or with other commitments, GFC withered to a 1 – 0 defeat. Nothing to be ashamed of, as even without a full compliment of players, GFC players held their own for sustained periods of time, eventually losing to a fluke goal concede by Ashok, who had stepped in to play as keeper; about time Saurav took a break from the gloves and let his legs do the talking.

Conclusion

Ahhhhh… finally at last, the conclusion for this piece of article.

Firstly apologies for the delay in posting this article and also for not making it as informative as it should have been; the reason being with so many games played on the day, it was difficult to keep track of who did what and what was happening exactly on the pitch.

Secondly, well done GFC players for a tournament well played!!! Although we did not achieve our target of a Finals placing, our eventual placing as the 4^th best team in the tournament was in itself an achievement. And this was done without our full complement of players, mainly out due to injuries.

Lastly, thanks to all the supporters who turned up and stayed for the whole duration of the tournament. Your support is well and truly appreciated. Apologies to some of you who may have returned a bit darker than usual!! You know it was worth it!!

And finally finally… with all the injuries from the tournament, it’s a good thing that we do not have any games this week. So all you fellow players, do have a good rest and get well soon!!

And finally finally… this time for real finally… do come down to GFC’s Pre-Dashain party this Sunday, 25^th of September at the Electric Playground. You know you wouldn’t want to miss it!!

Gurkhali Ayo!!