To top the group and maintain their cent percent winning streak Anil Ojha scored all important goal for Three Star deafeating Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) 1-0 at the Dasharath Stadium. [break]
In the day´s early kick off, APF outplayed Brigade Boys Club 3-0 to register second win to finish group stage with six points.
APF will meet another departmental team Nepal Police Club in the quarterfinal to be held Wednesday and Three Star will take on Friends on December 20.
Ojha scored the decider in the 14th minute for Three Star to make them the third team to go through knockout stage after Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club and Nepal Army Club remained unbeaten. Ojha sent the ball past net from the box beating RCT goalie and skipper Dilip Chhetri in the pass supplied by Bijay Dhimal.
"We had targeted to enter knockout stage with clear cut results and we achieved it," Three Star coach Meghraj KC said after the match.
Three Star crafted some more attractive moves but failed to score despite exerting steady pressure on RCT. Substitute Bishnu Gurung´s powerful strike on target in the 81st minute was valiantly saved by custodian Chhetri from just below the crossbar.
Earlier, in the 22nd minute Yogesh Gurung failed to double the lead as his chip in one-on-one with goalie Chhetri went above the bar. Likewise, Buddha Chemjong and Biraj Maharjan hit the side net in the 68th and 70th minute respectively.
RCT could make only one impressive post attack but off the target as Amar Dangol´s powerful shot two minute before interval from edge went inches wide from the pole.
RCT coach Madhu Karki said his side was under pressure before the beginning of the match as his side needed three goal margin victory over Three Star to qualify. Karki, however, praised his team´s performance.
(Photo: Dipesh Shrestha)
In the previous match, all three goals came for APF during the first half in their victory over BBC that had made a comeback in the top flight in this season. APF dominated the show and ball possession but failed to continue with their tune in the other half. BBC, during the whole match, were engaged in resisting opponents pressure.
Charles Rai of BBC hit an own goal during the 12th minute in a bid to defend Ganesh Lawati´s shot. Nirajan Malla directed the ball towards net from close range in Amir Shrestha´s cross to double the tally. Shrestha unleashed an unstoppable shot from the edge to score the last goal for APF.
APF Manager Prem Kumar Shrestha said his side failed to continue the same rhythm in the second half. He also criticized his strikers. "Strikers failed to utilize scoring chances in the second half," Shreshta commented.
BBC coach Samir Gurung termed the match as valueless for his side as a low goal margin win would not have secured their way to the quarterfinal round.
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