MMC enter semis in style

-By a Post Reporter

BIRATNAGAR, Jan 11- Manang Marshyangdi Club, the winners of the just concluded Birthday Cup tournament in Kathmandu, continued their impressive run when they crushed NRT here today in the last quarter-final of the Mahendra Gold Cup. Fresh from their 9-1 and 6-1 routing of RCT and MPC respectively in the last two matches (semi-finals and final of Birthday Cup), they defeated NRT 3-0 to book a semi-final place.

Right from the word go, the deadly combination of Basanta duo (Thapa and Gauchan), together with Rajan Rayamajhi, Kumar Thapa, Rajesh Shahi, Deepak Lama were striking the cord as MMC got the early lead in the seventh  minute of the match.

The goal was scored by Dipal Lama when the Basanta duo and Rajesh Shahi were involved in a beautiful move that ended in the goal by Lama.

Two minutes later, MMC struck again. This time the move initiated from the left flank ending in the goal by Rajesh Shahi.

Down by two early goals NRT, keeping their composure, slowly tried to get back into the match to the delight of the fans who had turned in a large number today. NRT made a number of moves  but twice they missed out on golden opportunities when Raj Kumar Shrestha in the 25th minute and Hari Thakuri in the 36th minute failed to get the ball inside the net. On both the occasions they were thwarted by MMC custodian Binod Dongol who in fact had a terrific day under the bar.

On the other hand MMC also missed out on a number of opportunities with Rajan Rayamajhi being the culprit on three occasions. Though Rayamajhi failed to score, the spectators were highly impressed with his run and dodgin skills.

In the second half, the match came to life even more. NRT were beginning look confident in their build up and looked like scoring a goal. Their strikers Hari Thakuri and Raj Kumar were time again fed with through passes from the midfield but a tight MMC defence was keeping them at bay. The sides looked well matched in the second half. Only a 28th minute goal by star striker Basanta Thapa who made it 3-0, separated the two sides in the second half.

The day’s man of the match award went to Rajan Rayamajhi.

Mahendra Police Club will take on RCT in the first semi-final tomorrow.

Thapa Magar announces retirement

- By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan 11- Prakash Thapa Magar, the winner of boxing gold medal in the welter weight division in the recently held 8th SAF Games called it a day here today amidst the felicitation ceremony for the 8th SAF Games medallists.

The 31 year old Thapa Magar who started his career in 1986 with a gold winning feat in the Birthday Cup Boxing championship, expressed his desire to continue his career as a boxing coach.

Thapa bagged gold from the 11th National Boxing Championship till 14th National Championship and also a gold medallist in the 4th National Games. Thapa has also participated in a number of international boxing meets.  

Millennium cricket begins

-By a Post Reporter 

BHAIRAHAWA, Jan 11- Millenium Cricket Championship organised by Melbourne Cricket Club and Sporting Club kicked off here today.

Eight teams from Nepal and four teams from India are participating in the championship. Mahavir Club of Kathmandu, Birgunj Cricket Association, Chitwan Cricket Club, Kapilvastu Cricket club, Lumbini sports club, Khukuri Cricket Club , Bhairahawa, and organisers MCC, Bhairahawa are the teams from Nepal while Sahara India, New India club Gorakhpur, Dayananda Jyoti club  and Dindayal University team have participated from India.

In the inaugural match of the championship, Sahara India, Gorakhpur defeated Lumbini Sports, Butwal by eight wickets today.

Inspired by a deadly spell of Sahara India’s Sanjay Singh, the visiting side bundled out Lumbini Sports for a paltry 47 runs and then notched up the target in 8.2 overs to hand out a crushing defeat.

Sanjay Singh was awarded the man of the match for his impressive bowling.

Gorkha Brewery are the chief sponsors of the tournament while Tribeni Distillery and Universal Medical are the co-sponsors.