The result put the group winner MMC one point clear of the second placed Nepal Army Club with seven points. MMC and Army have already quarterfinal round with. MMC will lock horn against Armed Police Force (APF), the runner up of group A and Army will meet Iceberg Madhyapur Youth Association, group A winner during the quarterfinals.[break]
In Monday´s inconsequential match, MMC rested five key players from its starting list including its skipper Anil Gurung, Sujal Shrestha, Sabindra Shrestha and two foreigner players.
"Quarterfinal was important for us rather than this match as we had already advanced. So we decide to give exposure to new players," MMC coach Krishna Thapa said during the post match conference.
However, NRT coach Surendra Shrestha opined that the match was important for his team as they had not earned a single point. "It was a prestige match as we had not earned a single point so far," Shrestha said adding he was satisfied with his side´s performance.
NRT created about half a dozen of chances but failed to score. MMC´s third choice custodian Brijesh Singh made some brilliant saves including two in one-on-one situation. Subash Gurung and Rajiv Gurung were denied by Singh during the early stages and stoppage time in one-on-one situations.
Singh also denied Subash Gurung and and Sushil Lama´s strike during the first half. In the 75th minute, custodian Singh saved two attacks by Rajeev Gurung. On the first occasion, he blocked Gurung´s header and followed up with another low shot from the area in rebound.
MMC made only a couple of post attacks. In the 49th minute, Sulav Maskey fired inches wide from 20-yard and in 65th minute Raju Yogi denied Ram Thapa in one-versus-one situation.
MMC coach Thapa accepted that NRT had upper hand in the match. "NRT should have won the match. They created numerous chances compared to my side but failed to achieve the target."
NRT coach Shrestha lauded his team´s effort. "All players worked hard but failed to achieve target," Shrestha said.
Yeti Airlines Himalayan Sherpa Club will vie with McDowell´s Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) during their last match of group C.
Group B points table
Team P W D L GF GA Pts
MMC 3 2 1 0 4 1 7
Army 3 2 0 1 6 2 6
Machhindra 3 1 0 2 3 4 3
NRT 3 0 1 2 1 7 1
Related story
Chyasal wins B Division title, NRT back to top flight
