Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club defeated Sahara Club of Pokhara 4-3 on penalties and advanced to the semi-finals of the third Rumpum Jhapa Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Domalal Stadium in Biratmod today.

The match was decided in spotkick battle after both the teams remained goalless in the regulation period of 90 minutes. MMC’s Sujal Shrestha, Bimal Basnet, Anjan Bista and Dona Thapa converted their shots from the spot. Similarly, Sahara’s Bijay Shrestha, Randeep Paudel and Bishwo Adhikari scored the goals, while Bhishan Gurung shot wide and Man Bahadur Tamang was denied by MMC goalkeeper Dinesh Thapa Magar.

Earlier in the regulation period, both MMC and Sahara wasted couple of goal scoring chances. MMC’s foreign recruit Victor failed to score from the box in the 22nd minute, while Bishal Rai shot inches wide off the target in the 34th minute. Similarly, Sahara goalie Babu Magar stood firm to deny Anjan Bista in the 49th minute and Victor shot inches above the bar after beating Sahara’s two defenders in 56th minute.

At the other end, Sahara’s Richard Pun wasted a chance in 36th minute and Phurba Lama ended up hitting wide shot in the 61st minute.

MMC’s Anjan Bista was named the man-of-the-match and he earned Rs 25,000.

MMC’s coach Shailesh Karmacharya said his side failed to find the back of the nets after Sahara put up a fighting game. “We failed to convert the chances and at the same time we also lost the control over the ball due to excessive wind,” said Karmacharya.

Similarly, Sahara coach Kiran Shrestha said preventing MMC from scoring in the regulation period was an achievement for his side. “However, we were unlucky in the tie breaker,” said Shrestha.

On Wednesday, Rumpum Jhapa-XI will take on United Sikkim FC of India in third quarter-final match.