DHANGADHI: The defending champion Manang Marshyangdi Club hammered Rupandehi XI 4-0 to secure their semi-final berth of the ongoing Nepal Ice Farwest Khaptard Gold Cup played at the regional stadium in Dhangadhi on Friday.

Today's victorious team Manang, along with APF, Tribhuvan Army Club and the hosts Farwest XI has booked their place in the last four of the tournament.

Defending champions Manang put on relentless pressure against their opponent from word go and deservedly took the lead on the 19th minute through African recruit Victor.

Despite being pushed in their own territory for much of the first half, Rupandehi rearguard thwarted Manang moves with ease, keeping the score line to 1-0 going into the second half.

Rupandehi's T-shring Gurung diverted a low cross into his own net on 55th minute giving 2-0 lead in the second half to one of the favourite teams of the tournament.

Rupandehi XI rearguards were terribly exposed in the dying minutes of the game as they pushed forward in search of goals, Manang Bishal Rai hit them in a quick counter-attack on 83 minutes.

Tired looking Rupandehi XI conceded another goal within a minute as Manang's Bimal Rana notched his first and team's fourth goal.

Foreign recruit Victor, was adjudged as man of the match and collected Rs 10,000 in cash.

During the post-match conference, Rupandehi's coach Dilip Chettri lamented on their own mistakes in team's debacle. "MMC is a good team, it always put on a good show. We conceded many goals because of our own silly mistakes. We also failed to convert our chances into goals," Chettri added.

Likewise, MMC head coach Hemanta Ale said players understanding and coordination helped to win the game comfortably. "Boys played well, we also converted our chances into goals which helped us to win the game convincingly," Ale shared.

Ale referring their pitting against the departmental team Tribhuvan Army Club, in first semi-final, on Saturday, said its a 50-50 game.

"Who ever gets chance and convert into goal has won the game in the past, tomorrow's game won't be different. We have slight edge over the Army Club," Ale added.

Similarly, the hosts Farwest XI will take on APF team in other semi-finals of the tournament on Sunday.