MMC netted four goals after the interval and skipper Sagar Thapa netted one at the Pokhara Stadium to keep his team on course for its third title of the season. MMC will meet either Yeti Himalayan Sherpa Club or Nepal Army in the semifinal on Wednesday. Sherpa and Army play for a semifinal spot on Sunday.
MMC coach Hemanta Ale said he wished his side would get Sherpa as its semifinal opponent. ´We are on the same level as the departmental team. If we meet Sherpa in the semifinal, the title will be ours,´ said Ale. MMC has already won the Gurkha Cup in Kathmandu and the King"s Cup in Bhutan this season.
Man-of-the-match Deepak Rai provided MMC an early breakthrough in the 12th minute and set up Shiva Shrestha for the last goal. Sujal Shrestha, skipper Thapa and Sulav Maskey were also on target in the second half.
Rai opened the scoring with a low strike into the far post from the edge, but MMC could not pose any threat to Jawalakhel in the remaining period of the first half.
But MMC looked rejuvenated after the break and doubled the advantage in the very first minute. Sujal Shrestha scored in the 46th and skipper Thapa made it 3-0 from the six-yard box during the hour mark.
Sulav Maskey added a fourth in the 76th beating the custodian in a one-on-one situation after he was set by Shiva Shrestha.
Shrestha wrapped up the match two minutes from time directing a pass from man-of-the-match Rai into the net.
Jawalakkhel"s only chance came in the 70th minute but MMC custodian Bishal Shrestha punched Pradeep Maharjan"s freekick to safety.
Jawalakhel coach Raj Kumar KC attributed the defeat to absence of four regular members of the squad -- custodian Bikesh Kutu, Noor Raj Kafle, Ajay Thapa and Umesh Thapa. Ajay was serving a one-match suspension after receiving red card in the team"s last match against NIBL Friends Club, while the other three did not play due to injuries. KC, however, expressed satisfaction at his team"s performance.
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