Nirajan Malla came off the bench in the 60th minute and put MMC back on the winning track. MMC was a goal down as Shuvam Shrestha gave a 1-0 lead to Machhindra in the 29th minute. [break]But Malla´s superb header leveled the scores in the 64th minute. Sujal Shrestha sealed the match 2-1 for MMC in the 70th minute.
Both the team could not produce any threatening move until the first 25 minutes on the muddy pitch of the Dasharath Stadium. MMC striker Anil Gurung made an attempt in the 27th minute but his header was saved by Machhindra goalkeeper Dinesh Thapa Magar.
Shuvam Shrestha scored two minutes later as he was unmarked in the danger area to head a free kick from Bishal Rai B (Jersey No 9).
MMC goalkeeper Emmunuel Dare stopped a powerful shot of Rai from the edge of the danger area in the 37th minute. MMC´s Sujal Shrestha missed another opportunity set by Nabin Neupane a minute later. In the second half, MMC turned more aggressive. Its foreign recruit Mbile Leonel Seiko failed to score on an open net from six-yard area.
Coach Krishna Thapa, who is taking charge of MMC for the first time, substituted Sulav Maskey by Malla in the 60th minute and that decision changed the course of the match. Malla utilized a cross from Ameer Shrestha and his header leveled the scores four minutes later.
Sujal Shrestha added the second goal for MMC in the 70th minute. Shrestha scored from the danger area as Machhindra goalie Thapa was out of position in an attempt to intercept a MMC cross.
Bishal Rai A (Jersey No 17) failed to score in a one-on-one situation with MMC goalie Emmunuel.
With the win, MMC earned a full three points in the group B, which also includes Nepal Army and New Road Team (NRT).
(Photo: Dipesh Shrestha)
"A draw would have been a justifiable result and provided us with a better chance to qualify for the next round. However, I´m satisfied with the boys´ performance as they had a very short preparation time," said Machhindra coach Prakash Baidya.
MMC coach Thapa applauded Malla for his game changing performance. "He has some injury problem and we were cautious about fielding from the start in a muddy condition. But when we sent him as a substitute, the match changed," said Thapa. "We were able to make a comeback because of good training in the last few months," he added.
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