Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 21:

Basanta Thapa scored four goals and Rajan Raimajhi struck twice as Manang Marsyangdi Club (MMC) thrashed West Sikkim Football Association 11-1 and advanced to the semi-finals of the Birthday Cup Football Tournament, here at Dasharath Stadium today. The result means MMC will play against Mahendra Police Club on June 23. On Tuesday, MMC took an early seventh minute lead through Basanta Thapa when he found the net following Khum Gurung’s pass from the left flank. In the 22nd minute, Rajan Raimajhi doubled the tally on Basanta Thapa’s pass. Eight minutes later, Thapa added another goal to his credit making it 3-0 dodging three defenders and custodian Sing Bahadur Gurung before firing the ball into the net. Fed by Raimajhi, Thapa completed his hat-trick in the 40th minute. After a 4-0 first half, Birat Thapa made a powerful attempt from outside the D-Box, adding another goal for MMC in the 67th minute. Three minutes later, Sikkim custodian Gurung conceded the sixth goal on Tashi Tshering header.

In an solo effort, debutant Rajendra Thapa of MMC, scored in the 79th minute. Four minutes later Rajan Raimajhi added his second and the team’s eighth goal from inside the D-Box. And, a minute later, Basanta Thapa scored his fourth, giving MMC a 9-0 lead. Thupden Bhutia of West Sikkim scored the only goal in the 88th minute when his long-range powerful attempt from outside the D-Box went into the net. The tenth goal for MMC came in the 90th minute through Nabin Neupane and in the dying moments of the match, MMC skipper Kumar Thapa completed the rout scoring on Sagar Thapa’s rebound inside the six-yard box. On Wednesday,

Three Star Club will take on Tribhuvan Army Club at the same venue.