POKHARA, JANUARY 23

Manang Marshyangdi Club defeated Nepal Police Club 2-0 to enter the semi-finals of the 20th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Pokhara Stadium today.

Afeez Olawale Oladipo scored one and assisted one for Rupesh KC to send MMC into the last four of the prestigious tournament of mofussil.

MMC will face the winners of the match between Three Star Club and Tribhuvan Army Club for a place in the final.

After a goalless first half, MMC took the lead in the 64th minute when KC beat past as many as three defenders and NPC goalkeeper Sanjeet Shrestha before burying the ball into the goal.

Oladipo initiated the move capitalising on poor defending after NPC defender Ajit Bhandari failed to clear a back pass from Hemanta Shrestha.

MMC - who had included New Road Team's Shiva Gurung and Rajesh Pariyar in the starting eleven after four of their players were summoned by national team head coach Abdullah Almutairi to for the Mauritius friendlies later this month - doubled the tally two minutes before the end. Oladipo snatched the ball from Bhola Silwal and guided the ball alone before scoring past NPC custodian Shrestha, who had come forward in a bid to stop the striker.

Earlier, NPC skipper Jumanu Rai wasted a golden opportunity to level the scores in the 84th minute, while Ashok Thapa Magar's powerful shot was blocked by NPC goalkeeper Shrestha in counter attack. Rajesh Pariyar ended up with a wayward shot in rebound.

On Monday, defending champions Sankata Club will take on Machhindra Club in the third quarter-final match.

A total of 10 teams are taking part in the tournament organised by Sahara Club.

The winner will be richer by one million and one thousand rupees, while the runners-up will get Rs 501,000.

The profit of the tournament will be used for Surya Bahadur KC Memorial Sahara Football Academy, which has been providing shelter, education and football training to orphans.

A version of this article appears in the print on January 24, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.