Though second placed APF and third placed NIBL Friends Club have equal four points as well as equal four plus and minus goals in their kitty, the departmental team advanced as it had defeated Friends 3-2 during their first match of the group A. [break]
With the completion of group stage match, Iceberg Madhyapur Youth Association occupied top spot and fixed quarterfinal date with group B runner up Nepal Army Club while APF will meet Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club to determine its fate for the semifinal.
On Sunday´s lackluster match, APF missed the chance of finishing at the top of table as it conceded the equalizer six minutes from the time. Bijay Gurung achieved the equalizer for Three Star, big name in domestic football which finished at the bottom of table with only two points. Gurung made a quick low ball strike from the penalty spot after dribbling past two defenders in a cross by Biraj Maharjan.
APF had earlier taken lead in the 10th minute taking advantage of lazy show of custodian Kiran Chemjong, who slipped a cross of Ranjan Bista paving way for Ganesh Lawati to put the departmental team ahead.
Two minutes before that, Niraj Shrestha fired above the bar from the area after Chemjong had came up with similar action while trying to grip Bista´s freekick.
Lawati had failed to double the advantage in the 81st minute when Nepali international glovesman Chemjong denied Lawati in one-versus-one situation at the area in Niraj Shrestha pass.
Three Star coming without its regular defender Sandip Rai and winger Anil Ojha also created three chances but hit off the target on two occasions while the third shot was denied by goalie Samit Rajbhandari.
In the 16th minute, goaile Rajbhandari blocked Gurung´s right flank freekick and Bishnu Sunuwar´s header in goalie´s rebounder was off the target. In the 31st minute, defender Bijay Dhimal fired inches wide from the edge. Rajbhandari also denied defender Rai´s freekick in the 73rd minute who came as 41st minute replacement of Arun Shrestha.
APF coach Janak Singh Tharu said that his side achieved the target of either win or a draw. "Either a win or draw was essential for progressing to the next round and we achieved that," Tharu said adding, his side resorted to defensive style of play after getting early score.
Pradip Humagain who was marking debut as the coach of top tier team after departure of Meghraj KC expressed satisfaction at the team´s performance.
MMC will lock horns with New Road Team (NRT) on Monday.
Group A points table
Teams P W D L GF GA Pts
Madhyapur 3 1 2 0 3 2 5
APF 3 1 1 1 4 4 4
Friends 3 1 1 1 4 4 4
Three Star 3 0 2 1 2 3 2
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