Jawalakhel finished group stage with six points -- two victories and a defeat out of three matches played. [break]
In another match, the already qualified Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) routed newboys Saraswoti Youth Club 4-0 to continue with their cent percent winning streak and emerge group winner with nine points. MMC also became the only team to go through the group stage without conceding even a single goal.
"We achieved our target of qualifying as the group winner," delighted MMC coach Bal Gopal Maharjan said adding that their performance was improving every other day.
In the one sided show, MMC dominated in all departments and scored thrice before the interval. The highest paid domestic player Santosh Sahukhala opened the scoring in the 20th minute in a pass set by Kalu Tamang to score his fourth goal of the tournament and to be the highest goal scorer.
Nirajan Khadka made a bouncing header to double the advantage in Bijay Gurung´s corner and Gurung headed another two minutes later when Saraswoti goalie Bikesh Kuthu fumbled Ganesh Khadka´s in the box. Sulav Maskey sealed the match three minutes after the interval with a skillful display in Ganesh Khadka´s pass.
Saraswoti coach Nabin Parajuli said that many of his players were injured and vowed to put up a better show in the future.
Earlier, Jawalakhel, the winner of Tilottama Gold Cup held some five weeks ago at Butwal put up an impressive show against Bansbari, which is making its first appearance in the top flight, and created frequent opportunities but failed in utilizing about half of dozen chances. Jawalakhel´s wait for the goal ended in the 20th minute through Laxmi Narayan Shrestha´s goal.
Shrestha sent the ball past the net from box in skipper Jaghunath Khadka´s pass. Bishal Rai (Jersey no 18) doubled the scoring in the 62nd minute in pass from his namesake (Jersey no 9).
Jawalakhel coach Rajaram Karki said that finally they accomplished their target of securing a place in the quarterfinal. He was, however, disappointed with below par performance of his team.
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