Pushpa scored in the 37th and 80th minutes while Bishnu KC added another goal two minutes later to pile up more pressure on the opponents. [break]
However, they were unable to stop Rupandehi from scoring. Rupandehi´s Bishnu Gurung opened their scoring in the 83rd minute in a pass set by Ashok Pun. Bishnu scored the second goal in the dying minutes. He shot the ball inside the net utilizing Krishna Shrestha´s pass in the 89th minute.
Sahara´s Pushpa Shrestha was adjudged the man-of-the-match.
Both the sides created lots of opportunities but failed to convert them. In the early minutes of the match, Rupandehi´s Kumar KC shot in his own post while in a bid to clear, but luckily it deflected hitting the pole.
Rupandehi´s coach Yam Gurung said that his side lost because they lacked team work. He also revealed that they didn´t have sufficient time for preparation. “It was not possible to play well with three day´s training,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sahara´s Coach Kiran Shrestha said his team conceded goals as the players became over-excited after scoring three goals.
The winners Sahara will face the defending champions Nepal Police Club on Saturday while Wednesday´s match will be held between Gorkha United of India and Kathmandu´s Machhindra Club.
Altogether 12 teams are participating in the tournament to be held till February 6. Three departmental teams - Army, Police and Armed Police - along with NRT, Machhindra FC, Manang Marshyangdi Club, Jhapa´s Knight Chess, Rupandehi XI, Dehradun´s Gorkha United, Bangladesh´s Dhaka Sporting, Sahara UK and hosts Sahara Club will compete for the title.
The winners will bag a purse of Rs 150,000 and gold medals while the runners-up will receive Rs 75,000 and a trophy. The best player of the tournament will get a Yamaha bike. Likewise, the highest scorer will receive Rs 15,000 and a trophy. The best coach, goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and striker of the tournament will bag Rs 10,000 each. The disciplined team will receive the fair-play trophy.
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