RCT inch closer to title

DHARAN, March 30: Holders Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) inched closer to defending their title in the ongoing 13th International Invitational Budhasubba Tuborg Gold Cup Football Tournament after pulling a nervy 5-4 tiebreaker victory over three-time champions Three Star Club in the semifinal in Dharan on Wednesday.



RCT proved to be lucky in the tiebreaker after the hard fought regulation time and additional time ended in a goalless stalemate. [break]



Three Star´s Rajkumar Ghising missed the first spotkick which proved costly for them as RCT made five from five. Ghising hit the woodwork. Anil Ojha, Buddha Chemjong, Bikram Lama and Bijay Dhimal converted in the tiebreaker for Three Star while Krishna Kunwar, Shekhar Limbu, Antelo Nugomuru, Prabesh Katuwal and goalkeeper as well as captain Dilip Chhetri succeeded in tiebreaker to send Three Star back to home.



Both sides toiled hard to score in the regulation time but eventually failed to meet the net. Three Star tried to dominate RCT in the first half but the latter played attacking football in the second half.



RCT goalie Chhetri denied Three Star in the fourth minute of the match while Ghising missed the shooting range in the 17th and 31st minutes.



Ghising had scored in the 70th minute in a pass of Anil Ojha but the assistant referee declared offside. RCT custodian Chhetri showed his heroics and denied Ojha and Bijay Dhimal´s free kicks in the 80th minute and injury time respectively.



Three Star goalkeeper Sanjib Shrestha also showed his brilliance in the regular time as he denied Shekhar Limbu and Antelo Nugomuru´s shots in the first half. Likewise, Shrestha punched a stunning shot from Limbu in the 51st minute.



RCT had chance to take a lead in the 72nd minute but Suval Jung Rana didn´t try to control a pass from Nugomuru and shot just above the bar. Likewise, Three Star´s Ojha foiled Kamal Karki´s shot in the additional time.



RCT coach Madhu Karki was delighted by the victory. "We have strong defense line-up which became problematic for the opponents. I hope we´ll return Kathmandu with the trophy," said Karki.



Three Star´s provisional coach Pradeep Maharjan said that the injuries picked by his vital players proved to be dearer. "Sanjib Budhathoki, Bishnu Gurung and Bishnu Sunar are injured and their injury turned out to be dearer,” he said.



RCT will meet now meet the winner of second semifinal between Nepal Police Club and Manang Marshyangdi on Thursday.

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