Yona Elias, Olawale Usman, Michael and Rajan Adhikari scored from the penalty spot for Sahara during the tiebreaker but only Aqbojade Emmanual converted for MMC. Sahara goalkeeper Ajit Prajapati blocked Nabin Neupane´s shot while Salyan Khadgi shot above the bar.[break]
In the 33rd minute of regulation time, Yona Elias put Sahara ahead utilizing a cross from Stephen Veron. However, Sunil BK leveled the scores seven minutes later. BK´s 25-yard powerful shot entered the net after hitting the post.
Fils Sergio Chico scored in a pass off Samir Limbu in the last minute of first half to provide a 2-1 lead to MMC. Chico was adjudged man-of-the-match later.
However, MMC could not maintain the lead until the end. Rajan Adhikari, who replaced Subin Shrestha in the 62nd minute, provided an acute cross a minute later to Geoffrey Bonney, who headed home to level the scores at 2-2.
Sahara will lock horns with Army Club in the semifinal.
Earlier, both the teams missed a few scoring chances. Sahara goalie Prajapati punched Nabin Neupane´s free-kick in the 37th minute while MMC goalkeeper Emanuel also denied Yona Elias´s powerful shot in the 61st minute and blocked Hem Tamang´s header on the rebound. Emanuel made another heroic save to deny a powerful shot from Sahara´s Olawale Usman in the second half of extra time and Yona Elias missed another chance in a one-on-one.
MMC was limited to 10 men in the extra time as Mbile Leonle Stephen received the marching orders from referee Laba Khatri in the 95th minute following two bookings.
MMC coach Krishna Thapa criticized the referee´s decision and said his forward Fils Sergio Chiko could not perform to his potential. Sahara coach Kiran Shrestha said his team conceded goals despite dominating the opposition in the regulation time. "We conceded goals as the boys failed to put up a coordinated effort. On the other hand, we missed some scoring opportunities and it took the match to tiebreaker."
Shrestha vowed to change strategy in the semifinal match against Army as his key players Michael, Yona Elias and Susan Lama are certain to miss the match following their bookings in Tuesday´s match. All three were booked in the first round match against Machhindra Club too.
Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club will take on Martyrs Memorial League leader Three Star in the first semifinal on Wednesday.
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