Inspired by captain Ramila Tandukar and Pratibha Mali´s brilliant performances, New Diamond came from a set down to beat Nepal Police Club 22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-15 in four sets at the National Sports Council covered hall. Both the teams had already qualified for the semifinals.[break]
Tandukar and Mali capitalized on the lack of coordination between the setter and spikers of Nepal Police to take the second set and ultimately sealed victory for New Diamond.
Tandukar won 30 points for New Diamond in the match and player-of-the-match Mali scored 18.
It was New Diamond´s second consecutive victory over Nepal Police. New Diamond had defeated Nepal Police in straight sets at the NVA Cup Club Championship earlier this year.
New Diamond will take on Group A runner-up Western Region in the semifinal on Saturday and Group B runner-up Police will lock horns with Group A winner Armed Police Force, the host.
New Diamond coach Kumar Rai said that his team exploited the opponent´s relatively weak defense. "We were less effective in blocking than Nepal Police but we were good in defense," said Rai.
Police coach Sudesh Kumar Rimal said that his team made mistakes in receiving the ball and defense.
Meanwhile, Western Region defeated Far-Western Region 25-10, 25-7, 25-8 in a crucial match to reach the last four as Group A runner-up on Friday. As APF had already qualified as the group winner, whichever team won the Friday´s match would advance as the runner-up. Aruna Shahi was adjudged the player of the match.
In a group match between two already eliminated teams, Mid-western Region defeated Eastern Region 22-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-20. Lila Khatri of the winning team was adjudged the player of the match.
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