In another match, Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) clinched first victory beating Brigade Boys Club (BBC) 3-2 paving way for all four teams of Group D to make it to the quarterfinal. [break]
Following the results, Three star who met RCT in their last group match on Sunday, led the group with six points, APF and RCT with a victory each have accumulated three points and BBC hit the bottom of the table with no points. The two quarterfinalist of the group will be decided following results of Sunday´s matches.
However, Three Star has an upper hand as a draw in the upcoming match will confirm their place in the quarterfinal while the other must win their matches and goal margin will have an important role in determining their place.
Bijay Dhimal had put Three Star ahead in the competitive match against APF. He headed home the opener from close range in Rajkumar Ghising´s cross. Substitute Top Bahadur Bista returned the equalizer two minutes later through a header in similar fashion when he headed Nirajan Malla´s freekick. Bista had entered ground in the 33rd minute as a replacement for Santosh Shrestha. Buddha Chemjong restored the lead for Three Star in the 63rd minute following an error of judgment from goalie Samit Rajbhandari who unsuccessfully dived to grip Anil Ojha´s cross and dropped it letting Chemjong to add another which turned to be the decider.
"The goalie´s over-confidence cost dearly for us," APF manager Prem Kumar Shreshta said after the match adding, "opponents scored both the goals due to goalie´s mistake."
Three Star coach Meghraj KC lauded the opponents performance. "They have improved a lot within a short time and I had not expected such a tough challenge from them," KC said.
In another match, despite taking early lead BBC failed to continue with it as Shekhar Limbu scored twice for RCT and Amar Dangol added another.
Diwas Gurung had given the third minute lead to BBC but Limbu hit back the equalizer during the stoppage time of the first half and added another during the second minute of other half. Khagendra Khadka again netted for BBC in the 62nd minute when he dribbled around three defenders in the box and sent the ball past net.
But Dangol scored third for RCT 15 minutes from time beating offside trap which turned out to be the decisive goal .
However, the win did not delight RCT coach Madhu Karki. "The boys failed to show even half of their caliber," Karki said.
Thursday´s matches
Bansbari Vs Jawalakhel @ 12: 30 NST
Saraswoti Vs MMC @ 2:30 NST
Venue: Dasharath Stadium
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