Sports

MMC play draw against Chattagram, last four berth uncertain

MMC play draw against Chattagram, last four berth uncertain

By MAUSAM SHAH

Nepal's Manang Marshyangdi Club players pose for a photo before a game during the on-going Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup at M A Ajij Stadium in Chittangong of Bangladesh, on Friday, February 24, 2017. Photo: Videograph

KATHMANDU: As Nepal's Manang Marshyangdi Club played 2-2 draw against Chattagram Abahani Ltd on Friday, their chances of advancing into the last four  of Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup depend on the result of third match between two other teams in their group . In the game played at MA Ajij Stadium in Chittagong today, MMC scored as early as in 3rd and 22nd minutes, but squandered their two goals lead against the Bangladesh club. MMC took an early lead after a long punt from the left flank was headed into the six yard box where MMC lethal poacher Afeez Olawale stormed to beat his marker and buried his header into the nets. With a win, the MMC would have been guaranteed their place into the last four of the tournament. They played aggressively from the word go and put on tremendous pressure to the home side. Their relentless pressing game paid dividends on 22nd minutes after MMC coach switched their formation to 4-4-2. Midfielder Rohit Chand sent Olawale through to goal where he neatly chested down a long ball in his control, turned the defender inside out, before smashing left footed shot into the bottom corner. Chattagram Abahani Ltd clawed back into the game after they reduced arrears on 32nd minute following a corner kick. MMC defender cleared a ball as far as inside the D-Box where Abahani player lifted a ball back into the six yard were Nasir Uddin Choudhary jumped higher to direct his header into the nets. Lethal striker Afeez Olawale nearly completed his hat-trick on added minutes of the first half only dragged his shot just wide of far post after MMC skipper Anil Gurung had played a delighted through ball. After the restart, MMC were controlling the game before conceding a silly handball inside the D-Box, without hesitation referee pointed to the spot kick, on 63rd minute. Augustin step up to take the spot kick, composed himself before coolly slotting his shot into the mid-riff of the nets sending MMC's Dinesh Kumar Thapa the wrong way. MMC relentlessly pressed for the winner, this time the woodwork came to rescue Chattagram Abahani Ltd as MMC captain Anil Gurung's header cannoned off the bar to safety in the dying seconds of added minutes of second half. With the draw MMC's progression into last four depend on the results of the other games between Afghanistan's Shaheen Asmayee FC and Bangladesh's Mohammedan Sporting Club. Later, MMC's Afeez Olawale was adjudged man-of-the-match for his overall performance and received USD 500.