The first semifinalists were decided through penalty shootout after regulation time ended in a 1-1 draw and the 30 minutes of added time also failed to break the deadlock.[break]
Raghu Prajapati failed to convert the fifth spot kick for NRT as his shot skied after hitting the bar, sending MMC through to the last four of the tournament.
Earlier, Bijay Gurung was lucky to score the last spot kick for MMC. Gurung´s shot rebounded hitting the pole but while NRT goalie Binay Shrestha was walking away from the goalpost in a mood to celebrate, the ball changed its course, and that of the match, as it hit goalie Shrestha´s left foot and deflected into the net.
Custodians of both the sides made two saves each. MMC custodian Bishal Shrestha saved the first and third spot kicks taken by Bishnu KC and Saurabh Shrestha respectively.
NRT glovesman Shrestha denied the fourth and fifth penalty taken by Sujal Shrestha and Palsang Lama to level the score at 2-2. Those saves had added more thrill to the contest, leaving each team with one last chance.
Santosh Sahukhala and Nirajan Khadka converted the first two spot kicks for MMC while Rajib Gurung and Sushil KC scored the second and fourth spot kicks for MMC.
MMC will now meet the winners between Armed Police Force and Nepal Police Club in the semifinal on December 21.
MMC goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha saves spotkick taken by Saurab Shrestha of New Road Team on penalty shootout. (Photo: Dipesh Shrestha)
Earlier, in the competitive match, MMC had taken the lead in the second half through skipper Tashi Tshering in the 69th minute. Tshering scored from close range out of a scuffle when goalie Shrestha failed to collect Anjan KC´s free kick.
But NRT leveled the scoring six minutes later through their captain Roshan Lamichhane. He gave a brilliant finishing touch from close range to an acute pass of Sushil KC.
NRT´s quick young guns gave a tough fight to the high-spending MMC before the interval but MMC dominated the second half and created some attractive chances. In the 28th minute a volley attempt from the box by Chandra Kumar Rana of NRT in skipper Lamichhane´s freekick was easily collected by the goalkeeper.
Likewise, Anjan KC had two of his free kicks within five minutes punched to safety by the NRT goalie.
Sujal Shrestha squandered a scoring chance for MMC in the 64th minute when he was denied by goalie Shrestha in a one-on-one position. A minute later, Shiva Shrestha´s header in Bijay Gurung´s corner kick skied hitting the crossbar. Sahukhala missed from close range in the 79th minute, while an unmarked Shiva Shrestha missed a clear scoring opportunity when he hit wide from four yards in the 20th minute of added time.
MMC coach Bal Gopal Maharjan said that the win was crucial for them. He also praised the fitness level of his opponents.
NRT coach Rajukaji Shakya said he was satisfied with his team´s performance and termed it as a 50-50 match. He also praised his teams´ effort. "Our strategy of denying time and space to the opponents was largely successful," Shakya added.
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