MMC enter semis of Manakamana Cablecar Pokhara Cup

Players vie for a ball during Manakamana Cablecar Pokhara Cup in Pokhara, on Wednesday, February 06, 2019. Courtesy: Ram Gurung

POKHARA: Signature Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) defeated Brigade Boys Club (BBC) 5-4 in a tie-breaker and entered into last four of the ongoing Manakamana Cablecar Pokhara Cup on Wednesday.

As the fixture ended in a 1-1 draw in normal time, the game was decided in the tie-breaker at the Pokhara Stadium today.

MMC’s Suraj Bishwakarma held his nerves and converted the deciding kick to send his team into last four after goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha thwarted BBC’s Padam Bhattarai kick.

BBC took an early lead after Rhitik Khadka made a mazy run, beat two defenders inside the box and notched a goal off the post in the 15th minute.

League champions MMC poured men forward in search of an equaliser but to no avail. Moments later, BBC’s goalkeeper Lucky Kumar Karki thwarted Hemant Gurung’s dipping freekick with an acrobatic save and preserved the lead.

In the first half, both the teams missed glorious chances to score goals. However, after the restart, MMC came out all guns blazing and equalised in the 67th minute of the game.

Bimal Rana scored a simple tap-in goal after Olawale sent him through with a headed pass inside the box. With the game heading into extra time, BBC were reduced to 10-men after custodian Karki was dismissed with two minutes in the clock.

Later, MMC’s goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha was adjudged man of the match for his scintillating performance.

In the first semi-final match tomorrow at the Pokhara Stadium, Japan’s Rissho University team will take on APF team in the 6th edition of Manakamana Cablecar Pokhara Cup, the organisers said.

The tournament is hosted by Kaski Football Association and sponsored by the Manakamana Darshan Pvt Ltd.

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