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Kathmandu Sunday February 03, 2002 Magh 21, 2058.
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MMC down Galaxian 2-0 to enter
semis
Post Report
BIRATNAGAR, Feb 2: Two goals at the fag end
saved Manang Marsyangdi Club’s (MMC) blushes as they edged past Galaxian Club 2-0 in
the first quarterfinal of the Nirajan Memorial Invitational Football tournament played at
local Sahid Stadium on Saturday.
MMC striker Basanta Thapa and Rajan Rayamajhi
scored in the 87th and 89th minute to bring the cheers for the highly rated MMC.
The match looked like creeping for sudden death
period as both the teams failed to break the ice till 87 minutes of the match. But Thapa,
showing his international experience dodged advancing Galaxian goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa and
headed home a much-needed strike to end Galaxian hope.
MMC captain Kumar Thapa was the man behind the
goal. His corner kick was well controlled by Rayamajhi at the centre. Rayamajhi, seeing
goalie Thapa advancing towards him, did not take the charge himself and lofted the ball
for Thapa who connected with head.
As just three minutes were remaining for the
final whistle, all the Galaxian players marched at the MMC territory with the hope of
gaining the eqaliser but that invited more disaster as Rayamajhi used the opportunity and
further confirmed MMC’s dominance. In the counter-attack, Rayamajhi-Thapa duo lead
the ball inside the 18-yard territory and this time Rayamajhi headed home a goal beating
Galaxian custodian Thapa to seal the 2-0 victory.
The 5000 strong spectators watching the match-
tournament’s maximum numbers - had all praise for Galaxian Club striker duo Ritesh
Khadka and Surendra Tamang and goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa. On the other hand, despite their
victory, international experience holders Basanta Thapa, Rajan Raymajhi, Kumar Thapa
failed to impress the crowd.
Earlier, Galaxian goalie Ritesh Thapa kept all
the attempts of MMC players at bay through a brilliant performance under the bar. Thapa
saved almost 15 attacks of the opponents.
Thapa looked promising from the outset when he
demonstrated a full-stretched dive to save a powerful rightfooter from Basanta Thapa as
early as in the 3rd minute. Likewise, he also held some close attempts, mainly off
Rayamajhi and Deepak Lama, in 14th and 28th minute respectively.
Playing against country’s renowned football
powerhouse, Galaxian boys also made a couple of convincing moves at MMC territory. But MMC
keeper Binod Dangol demonstrated more brilliance sidelining their occasional attacks.
In the 31st minute, Khadka connected a mighty
shot from just inside the penalty area but Dangol, showing sublime keeping punched the
ball outside to avoid the Galaxian chance of taking the lead. Likewise, he also saved
three shots of Tamang in the 33rd, 35th and 44th minute.
Khadka failed to convert the match’s most
convincing chance for Galaxian in the 57th minute. Khadka hit the ball, centered by Tamang
inside the penalty area, an inch outside the cross bar when he had only Dangol to beat
under the bar.
Mahendra Police Club (MPC), the champions of
recently concluded Birendra Memorial Invitational Football tournament will take on Rani
Pokhari Corner Team (RCT) in the tournament’s second quarterfinal on Sunday.
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