After a 1-1 tie in the regulation time, KC, a replacement for Nirajan Khadka, scored three minutes after his entry from the box in a short pass set by Santosh Sahukhala during the added time.[break]
MMC will play against New Road Team (NRT) in the quarterfinal match on September 25.
Earlier, RCT starting their season in a new formation came up with an impressive show to take the lead in the 16th minute through striker Shekhar Limbu in a cross set by Bhim Darlami.
MMC, studded with seven new players in their starting lineup along with the highest paid footballer in Nepal Sahukhala, had to wait until the 40th minute to level the scoring. Skipper Tashi Tsering headed home the equalizer in a free kick off Sahukhala from the left flank.
MMC squandered an early scoring opportunity in the third minute as Sahukhala was brilliantly denied by skipper and custodian Dilip Chhetri in a quick one-on-one. In the 50th minute, MMC skipper Tsering´s header was caught by the goalie, and in the 12th minute of the added time Sahukhala once again failed to send the ball past the net from the box after beating three defenders as his shot skied above the bar.
RCT created some attractive chances but the heroic display of MMC goalie Bishal Shrestha crushed their dream of scoring on many occasions. In the 12th minute, Shrestha blocked Amar Dangol´s shot and again made a brilliant save one minute before the interval to prevent Suman Khadka´s 25-yard powerful strike.
Likewise, Satish Rajbhandari was denied twice in the 48th minute by goalie Shrestha. Similarly, Shrestha spectacularly saved Rhomons Goyenechea´s powerful long-range strike and a minute later, he denied Limbu in a one-on-one.
MMC coach Bal Gopal Maharjan who took over the team from this season said that the team did not perform as per his expectations. He, however, said that the win carries a great significance and the team was not set properly as he had trained them only in the last three days.
RCT coach Madhu Karki said that luck did not favor them. "We should have won on the basis of performance but luck was not with us," Karki said. He also expressed satisfaction over his side´s performance. "Most of the players are young and played well, but the immaturity cost us," Karki added.
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