Sunuwar hit a bouncing header in a corner off Anil Ojha to send Bengal Mumbai FC back home.[break] "I was sure that I could score as I got a free header," Sunuwar told Republica after the match. "Any of my teammates could have scored from my position."
This is the fourth time that Three Star have made it to the semifinals of the Governor´s Gold Cup. In 2005, Three Star had lost in the semifinal, and a year later they were sent home after losing their very first match. In 2007, they finished runners-up after losing to Nepali outfit New Road Team (NRT) in the final, and in 2008 they took home the trophy. They had crashed out from the very first round in the last edition of the tournament.
Three Star became the first team to make it to the semifinals of the ongoing tournament, and will take on the winners between Shillong Lajong and BNR Kolkata on Monday for a place in final.
Three Star coach Meghraj KC did not make any changes in the team other than fielding Ezee Collins in the starting line-up in place of Prabin Karki. However, Collins failed to show any magic for the team.
KC was not satisfied with the team´s performance despite the win. "The boys did not play as they had in the previous match. They took the match easily after scoring an early goal," KC said. Captain Sanjiv Budhathoki echoed KC´s views.
Three Star came up with short passes and low ball against the physically taller and stronger opponents, who mostly enjoyed playing the aerial ball and physical game.
Three Star dominated the first half of the match and intensified their attacks from the very beginning. In the 16th minute, Three Star nearly doubled the lead when Raj Kumar Ghising´s shot in a pass of Yogesh Gurung hit the pole.
Nine minutes later, Biraj Maharjan´s powerful shot from the left flank was punched to safety by goalie Harshad Meher. In the 70th minute, Buddha Chemjong´s quick post attempt from the box in a pass from Gurung was caught by goalie Meher, and Anil Ojha hit wide two minutes later.
Three Star could not continue with their tune in the second half and gave some space to Mumbai Bengal FC, who made some attacks but were unable to change the fate of the match as Three Star´s stubborn defense and goalie Kiran Chemjong stood in their way. In the 88th minute, Royston D Souza´s curling shot hit the pole, and a minute later custodian Chemjong made a diving save on Afam Dennis´ strike.
Despite the win, Three Star also received a blow as they will be without their defender Bikash Singh Chhetri in their next match as he was shown a second yellow card in the tournament in late second half. Chhetri was slapped with a yellow card against Pune FC on Monday also.
Bengal Mumbai FC skipper Henry Gangte said that it was difficult for them to play without coach as he returned home due to personal problems a day before the match. He also praised the opponents and said his team came under pressure after conceding an early goal.
MMC fixture changed again
The organizer Sikkim Football Association (SFA) has again set up Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC)´s quarterfinal fixture on Friday with Mohammedan Sporting Club, Kolkata.
The latest fixture was published by SFA on Wednesday. In the initial fixture, SFA had fixed MMC´s quarterfinal meeting with Mohammedan Sporting Club, but on Tuesday they had changed MMC´s quarterfinal opponents to Techno Aryan XI.
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