Karki, who made his debut in top-tier football with the tournament, scored in either half for Army. The third goal for Army came from Naresh Meche. [break]
It was Army"s third succesive victory over arch rival Police. Army had earlier defeated Police in the semifinal of the Aaha Rara Gold Cup in Pokhara on January 28 and then during the super league rounds of the A division league on March 22. Army had defeated Police after 15 years in the semifinal in Pokhara.
Army will now meet the winner of the quarterfinal between Boys Union and RCT.
´Army"s run in the tournament and its three successive wins over Police have signaled the rise of Army and downfall of Police team,´ Army coach Yogambar Suwal said after the match.
Suwal, also a former coach of Police, opined that Army was gradually changing its image from that of a "power game team" to a technical and tactical team. As Suwal said, Army dominated the show in every department and created more than half a dozen chances.
Unlike Army, traditional powerhouse Police could create only three chances. However, Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha did not agree that his side"s level was declining. ´It is wrong to understand in that way. Actually we conceded unnecessary goals due to unnecessary dribbling and lack of proper marking despite knowing the strength of the opponent,´ Shrestha said.
It was Police that tested the Army custodian first early on in the seventh minute. But skipper Jumanu Rai was denied by custodian Phul Bahadur Lama in a one-on-one situation after being set up by Bhola Silwal.
Army succeeded in scoring in its very first attempt. In the 29th minute, Karki broke the deadlock with a perfect tap in a low cross by Tanka Basnet from the danger zone. Three minutes later, a similar attempt by Meche went inches wide from the target. In the 33rd, Army custodian Lama made a brilliant save to deny skipper Rai"s powerful strike from the edge.
Army doubled the advantage five minutes after the interval when Karki was allowed a free header in skipper Mahendra Khawas" freekick. Police custodian Ritesh Thapa made the work easier for Karki as he left his position and came forward leaving the post open.
Meche ensured win for Army in the 63rd in his second attempt after his first shot rebounded off the pole. Meche netted in a cross from Tek Bahadur Budathoki who had sprinted with the ball a long way and beaten custodian Thapa before setting up Meche.
Army could have netted another goal in the 70th, but Tanka Basnet selfishly shot wide off the far post instead of passing it to Meche who was waiting for the ball in front of an open net. In the 86th, goalie Thapa prevented Basnet in a one-on-one situation. A minute later, custodian Lama made a diving save to foil an attempt by Police skipper Rai.
Sunday"s match
Three Star Vs Jawalakhel @ 15:30 NST
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