Prakash Budathoki and Leonce Dodoz netted after the interval for the start studded Three Star that conceded an early goal through a penalty at the Pokhara Stadium. African player Victor put Hong Kong-converted-penalty in the sixth minute after he was fouled in the danger zone by defender Saroj Dahal.[break]
The man of the match Budathoki equalized for Three Star in the 58th minute scoring at the far post in a pass set by Bikram Lama. Ten minutes later Dodoz scored the second for Three Star to set the final showdown with the defending champion.
Anjan KC, who was taking the charge of the team as head coach in the tournament for the first time, attributed that his side conceded an early goal in penalty due to minor mistake.
He also opined that his side came up with improved performance than the previous outing. "The boys came up with better show after the interval," coach KC said. "We had changed the strategy in the second half after conceding a goal."
Hong Kong coach Rajiv Hirachan reiterated that his midfield failed to function. "The forwards did not have support as the midfield could not function at all," Hirachan said. "Though we had taken early lead through penalty the players were under psychological pressure to play against a strong side."
Despite piling up consistence pressure from the start, Three Star had to wait until the second half to score. Unlike Three Star, Hong Kong created few chances.
In the 64th, Victor´s shot at the far post went off the target after beating past defenders Dahal and Sabindra Shrestha.
Three Star tested Hong Kong custodian Min Basnet in the early 10th minute. But Basnet punched Sandip Rai´s strike to safety. In the 16th, Basnet made a similar save to prevent Jagjeet Shrestha´s strike.
Similarly, Dodoz fired off the target in the 27th in Budathoki´s pass, which was denied by Hong Kong´s Smart three minute before the interval. In the stoppage time, Three Star custodian Santosh Sahukhala´s freekick rebounded off the bar.
The final between Three Star and MMC will be held on Saturday.
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