Himalayan News Service

Pokhara, January 17:

Basanta Gauchan and Basanta Thapa scored a goal each as Manang Marsyangdi Club (MMC) blanked Sankata Club 2-0 and booked a place in the semi-finals of the third Aha Gold Cup Football Tournament, which has been organised by Sahara Club of Pokhara here today. For MMC, the win means a revenge match against Sankata Club, which had defeated MMC at the Himalayan Bank Cup Football Tournament in Kathmandu last November. “ We still have not recovered from that loss against Sankata,” said MMC skipper Kumar Thapa. He added: “With losses in number of tournaments, MMC had lost its seen, but after winning Hridayendra Cup earlier this month, we have got our confidence back.”

MMC took lead through Basanta Gauchan in the 33rd minute, when he fired the ball in, capitalising on a pass from Basant Thapa from the left flank. In the 42nd minute, MMC star striker Basanta Thapa doubled the tally.

MMC, which dominated the field throughout the match, missed couple of easy opportunities to score, but Sankata in return could manage only two goal-threatening moves.

In the 38th minute, man of the match Rajan Rayamajhi of MMC was unlucky as he missed a chance to score from the D-Box following Tashi Tshering’s cross. In the second half, MMC tried hard to increase the tally but Basanta Thapa’s attempt from outside the D-Box went out hitting the outer edge of the cross bar in the 61st minute.

A minute later, Rajan Rayamajhi made a brilliant attempt dodging Sankata goalkeeper Sangeet Rajak but ended up with a wide shot. On Tuesday, Rupandehi XI will take on Mahendra Police Club.