Newcomer Madhyapur played 1-1 draw against Friends handing a major setback to star studded Three Star Club in Group A which crashed out of the tournament with a match in hand. Army beat Machhindra 1-0 with solo goal coming from Tanka Banset.[break]
Playing all three matches of the group, Madhaypur is on top of the table with five points while Three Star hits the bottom of the table with one point. The result also left second placed Friends quarterfinal fate in limbo which needs to wait for the outcome of last group match to be played between APF and Three Star to advance into next round. Friends could advance into next round only if APF suffers defeat at the hands of Three Star.
On Thursday, Friends toiled hard to earn draw against former national skipper Upendra Man Singh´s side that was reduced to 10-man in the 57th minute after Naresh Pokharel got marching orders for the second yellow card. He was shown first card in the 56th minute.
Nirajaj Khadka achieved the equalizer for the Lalitpur based team in the 58th minute though a freekick take from the left flank.
Madhyapur Youth Association (white0 vs Nepal Army Club. (Photo: Bikash Karki)
Earlier, Madhyapur had taken lead in the 29th minute through Bed Shrestha. Madhyapur went ahead playing attractive pass in the box after Shrestha beat teenager goalie Birendra Chand in pass supplied by Nirajan Rayamajhi off Bal Gopal Sahukhala.
Friends took the match under control during the early moment of the match but failed to continue its momentum and could not create any danger to Madhyapur goalie Bikesh Kutu other than scoring through freekick.
Veteran striker Rayamajhi squandered twin scoring chance for Madhyapur backed by noisy supporters of Bhaktapur district. In the 84th minute, Madhyapur skipper Jeevan Sinkeman´s powerful strike was denied by goalie Chand.
Friend´s boss Upendra Man Singh was delighted with his team´s victory and described it as an achievement of the club. "The match was vital for us and the draw was sufficient for making into next stage," Shrestha said adding, "The result has made our supporters happy. We have not played expecting a place in the last eight but we wanted to play good football."
Friends coach Dil Kaji Gurung was nervous with his side´s performance who hinted that the team failed to play upto its standard. Gurung lauded the team spirit and efforts of opponents.
In the day´s late match, Tanka Basnet´s lone goal in the 21st minute become sufficient for Army to sent Machhindra crashing out and secure place as the runner up from group B. Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) has already qualified for quarterfinals as the winner of group with a match in hand on the basis of head-to-head record despite both teams having six points apiece. Machhindra wrapped up its campaign with three points.
Basnet achieved match winning when he easily scored from the area in open net in pass supplied by Bharat Khawas.
In the competitive match, Machhindra failed to achieve the equalizer in the 23rd minute when unmarked Karna Limbu tapped above bar in the six yard box.
Khawas twice missed scoring chance for Army. In the 37th minute Khawas struck above bar and in the 46th, he hit the pole after beating custodian Dinesh Thapa Magar. Nawayug Shrestha and Tek Bahadur Budathoki also squandered scoring chances for the departmental team.
Deepak Rai and Bishal Rai A (jersey no 17) also squandered equalizing chanced during the later stage of the match.
Machhindra coach Prakash Baidhya said that his team gave a tough fight to Army but were failed in utilizing scoring chances. Army coach Yogamber Suwal said that his side did not play as expected. "We were under pressure to win but the defenders did not perform well," Suwal said.
Mahindra Bansbari will lock horns with CMG Club Sankata on Friday.
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