In the match that was seemingly moving toward a tiebreaker, MMC skipper Anil Gurung hit the decisive goals 11 minutes before the end of additional half an hour after 0-0 draw in the regulation time. [break]
APF goalie Rajbhandari gave Gurung space to score as he came outside the area and tried keepie-uppie rather than clearing it letting the ball slip. Gurung, who had been chasing the ball collected it and shot the ball in the unattended post.
"We conceded the goal due goalie´s blunder. Either he should have passed it or sent the ball toward safety," frustrated APF coach Janak Singh Tharu said during the post match conference.
Players in action. (Photo: Bikash Karki)
"We should have got penalty in the third minute after Ranjan Bista was fouled in the area," Tharu said. He also blamed referee of not awarding a freekick ball taken by Sudip Shrestha as goale claiming that goalie Abolude Emmanuel caught the ball crossing the goalline.
He also lamented on the poor show of his forward who missed ´five chances´ in one-versus-one with goalkeeper.
MMC will lock horns with the winner of Nepal Police Club and CMG Club Sankata in the semifinal to be played on Wednesday.
Earlier in the drab show, MMC failed to live up to expectations against APF considered a ´comparatively´ weaker side. The first half looked dull with both sides failing to make any dangerous move. But APF dominated the show in the second half and created more chances than MMC.
"This is the worst match MMC had ever played in the four matches of the tournament played so far," MMC coach Krishna Thapa said. "Goalkeepers of both the sides were a failure today. But we took advantage of goalie´s silly mistake while the APF failed to cash it."
"APF totally dominated the match but we were lucky to win the match despite putting up a poor show."
As said by caoch Thapa APF was unlucky in the 57th minute when Ganesh Lawati´s strike after beating an advancing goalie Emmanuel rebounded hitting the inner edge of bar. Lawati also missed more than a couple of chances in one-versus-one position.
In the 58th minute, Lawati selfishly fired the ball wide from left flank without passing it to unmarked Ranjan Bistan in the six-yard box.
Zambo Antole Thierry´s header in 56th minute in Nabin Neupane´s corner for MMC was defended by Sudip Shrikhakar from the goalline. Seven minutes later, Nirajan Malla fired high above bar from the in open position from the penalty spot.
In the additional time, APF defender Sudip Shrestha defended the ball moving toward post after the advancing goalie was beaten by skipper Gurung´s header.
McDowell´s Ranipokhari Corner Team will vie with Bauddha FC in the third quarterfinal on Monday at the Dasharath Stadium.
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