Manang enter semis

Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) laboured into the semi-finals of the Aaha-Rara Gold Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Gurkha Brigade of the Indian Army here at the Pokhara Stadium on Sunday.
Amit Tamang and Olawale Afeez scored in extra time after the regular 90 minutes of play ended in a goalless deadlock.  The Gurkha Brigade had set up the quarter-final clash with MMC after winning their first round game against Nepal APF Club 2-1. MMC had a first round bye and entered directly into the quarter-finals.
Tamang struck seven minutes into the extra time, scoring from a freekick which was awarded for a foul from Prashant Gurung of Gurkha Brigade. Gurung was sent off for the offense and Tamang stepped in to convert from the resulting freekick. It took only three more minutes for MMC to make their numerical advantage count as Afeez added the second capitalizing on a pass from Ashish Lama to seal the match.
MMC’s participation itself was in doubt since seven of their regular members, who were on national duty for the Bangabandhu Gold Cup and returned home on Monday, failed to join the squad. “Anfa had agree to release the players but it did not keep its promises pitting us in dilemma,” said MMC coach Chhiring Lopsang Gurung.
“We don’t want to stop players from representing nation but we also want to make sure that they are available in tournament our club participates in,” said Gurung adding that somehow collected players for the match.
Gurkha Brigade coach KP Rai took solace from the fact that they played a competitive game. “Win and loss are part of the game but we put on a decent fight which is satisfying experience.
Tribhuwan Army Club will take on Three Star Club in a clash of giants on Monday.