Pokhara, April 17

Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club advanced to the semi-finals of the fifth Manakamana Cable Car Pokhara Cup Football Tournament here on Sunday.

MMC edged past Rum Pum Jhapa-XI 1-0 in the quarter-final match at the Pokhara Stadium. Bishwas Shrestha of MMC scored the solitary goal of the match in the injury time to seal the victory and that also earned him the man-of-the-match award. The two-time winners MMC will play against Nepal APF Club on Wednesday.

MMC, who defeated Jhapa-XI 4-0 in 14th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup final at the same venue four months ago, had to wait until he injury time to win today’s match. Shrestha, who replaced skipper Anil Gurung in the 65th minute, scored the winning goal for

the team.

MMC coach Chhiring Lopsang said he was not satisfied with the team’s performance. “The players did not execute the plans properly and we also failed to convert an easy chance in the seventh minute,” he said. Jhapa-XI skipper Prabesh Katuwal said a small error cost the match. “They capitalised on a small error and we had to face the defeat,” said Katuwal. “The luck was also not on our part today as we missed a lot of goal-scoring opportunities.”

On Monday, Ruslan Three Star Club will take on Tribhuvan Army Club in the quarter-final match. The final of the tournament is slated for Saturday.