KATHMANDU, DEC 13 -Manang Marshyandi Club (MMC) rallied from a goal down to beat Nepal Police Club (NPC) 2-1 and enter the semi-finals of the Ncell Cup football tournament here at the Dasharath Stadium on Thursday.Rabin Shrestha’s stunning strike gave NPC the lead in the 29th minute but second half goals from Sujal Shrestha and Yona Elias helped MMC set a semi-final clash with Sankata Club on Sunday. NPC left-back Rabin opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark when Jumanu Rai’s cross rebounded off Aziz Saheed and found Rabin at the edge of the area whose left footed shot flew into the top corner.
MMC midfielder Rupesh KC then wasted a decent chance to restore parity in the 34th minute when he blasted his shot over the goal from the edge of the box after pouncing on Dipak Rai’s lay off. Defending champions MMC started the second-half with increased vigour and pressed forward in search of an equaliser. Rai’s swirling 30-yard freekick went wide of the near post in the 50th minute while forward Elias’s outstretched feet inside the area could not connect Anil Gurung’s drilled cross in the 58th minute.
MMC’s constant pressure eventually paid off in the 68th minute as winger Sujal adeptly controlled Saheed’s pass at the edge of the area and guided the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot giving custodian Ritesh Thapa no chance whatsoever to react.
MMC dominated the second-half and deservingly went ahead after Elias cleverly cut in from left-flank and curled a shot around goalkeeper Thapa to make the score 2-1 in the 78th minute. Elias then had a chance to seal easy MMC win when he pounced on Shiva Shrestha’s perfect through ball but his weak attempt at goal was easily saved by Thapa in the first minute of injury time.
MMC squandered another chance a minute later when Sujal’s cross inside the area beat goalkeeper Thapa at his near post but substitute Bishal Rai fired his shot wide of the goal.
MMC coach Hari Om Shrestha conceded that his side had to battle for the win but said that his players’ comeback was impressive.
“They (NPC) played better than we were anticipating but after going down 1-0, I thought the players raised their game and played with renewed intensity,” said Hari Om. “We had numerous chances in the first-half but lacked the final pass in attack. We were a little unlucky to concede the first goal but did well at the end. I am confident ahead of the semi-final and I hope the players can carry the momentum forward,” added Shrestha.
Shrestha’s NPC counterpart Birat Krishna Shrestha was disappointed with the result but hoped that his players could learn lessons for the future. “We made a lot of defensive errors. I hope that they will learn from their mistakes,” said the NPC coach.
Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) will take on Boys Union Club in the first semi-finals on Saturday.
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