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MMC sends Police crashing out to reach final

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DHARAN, March 28: Two time champion Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) inched closer to its title defense with a convincing 3-1 win over the arch rival Nepal Police Club in the semifinal of the 14th Budhasubba Gold Cup Football Tournament in Dharan on Wednesday .



Shiva Shrestha, Amir Shrestha and Anil Gurung scored one apiece for MMC as it sent the four time champion and the National League winner Police crashing out of the tournament. [break]



In the finals MMC will meet the winner of the second semifinal between Mega Three Star Club and Hong Kong Nepalese Football Team, Hong Kong.



Shiva put the team in charge in the 13th minute with a one-touch strike in Gurung´s freekick. Amir doubled the tally during the injury time of first half. Amir quickly sent the ball into the net when he slammed in a ball deflected from Police defender off Anil Gurung´s powerful strike.



Nepali international Gurung made it 3-0 through penalty. The penalty was awarded to MMC after Bharat Shah pulled down Shiva Shrestha in the area.







Police skipper Jumanu Rai hit back the consolation for the police 11 minutes from time. Rai headed in bouncing freekick taken by Suraj BK from the box. Amir of MMC was declared the man-of-the-match.



MMC piled up pressure on Police throughout the match and made as many as a dozen attacks. Police looked weaker in midfield and defense as it was without two of its influential players midfielder Bhola Silwal and defender Rabin Shrestha.



Compared to Police, MMC created frequent scoring chances. Gurung squandered nearly half a dozen chances for MMC while, Shiva, Sujal Shrestha, Afilo Awala and Amir also squandered chances.



After his side´s win, MMC coach Hari Om Shrestha said his side was confident of beating the opponent as his team was better in every department. "The same team was also the winner of Aaha Gold Cup of Pokhara and Simara Gold Cup in Bara thus we were on a high morale," Shrestha said adding, "Our aim is to lift the title."



Police manager Hari Khadka said MMC was able to win the match as it utilized opportunities. "There were some weaknesses in midfield and defense and the team lacked coordination," Khadka said.



"We are repeatedly losing knockout tournaments due to our own mistakes. The first goal was conceded due to error of defenders, and midfielders also failed to play a creative game," Khadka said.



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