Shrestha scored for the departmental team 11 minutes into the second half to send two-time champion MMC crashing out of the tournament from its very first match. The win also avenged Army´s 2-0 defeat to MMC in the Ncell Cup held some six months ago in the capital and the 1-0 defeat in the super league of Martyrs Memorial League on March 13.[break]
Army will take on host Dharan FC in the semifinal to be played on Wednesday.
Shrestha scored from the area in Tanka Basnet´s cross to break the deadlock. Shrestha´s shot entered the far post taking a deflection off the bar.
Contrary to expectations, Army looked too strong for MMC, which finished second in the recently concluded league, one spot ahead of the departmental team. Army dominated the match from start to finish and made more than half-a-dozen attempts on goal.
In the 13th minute, Budhathoki fired wide in Bharat Khawas´ pass. A moment later, Jeetendra Karki shot high above the bar. In the 21st, Khawas wasted a scoring chance while scorer Shrestha failed to score in a one-on-one with custodian Bishal Shrestha three minutes later.
MMC, which was playing without its four African players, lacked coordination. Sulav Maskey squandered a scoring chance for MMC in the seventh minute when his feeble shot from the area was easily saved by Army custodian Gangaram Deuja. Maskey again shot high above the bar in the 17th minute. During the later stages, Amir Shrestha and Sujal Shrestha both squandered scoring chances.
MMC custodian Bishal Shrestha, who made some valiant saves, was declared the man-of-the-match and awarded Rs 5,000.
Army striker Bharat Khawas said the win was important as the first match is always difficult. "The pitch was small and uneven, and it is difficult to score on such a pitch," said Khawas, adding that MMC was a strong team. "It was unfortunate that we could not score despite numerous attempts," said Khawas.
MMC coach Chhiring Lopsang commented that his players were tired after playing in the league. "We also felt the absence of foreign players. There was no coordination among the players as they have not trained for a single day," said Lopsang, who also lamented his side´s defense lapses.
Nepal Police Club will lock horns with Hong Kong Nepali Federation in the last quarterfinal on Tuesday.
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