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Kathmandu Monday January 21, 2002 Magh 08, 2058.
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MMC down Friends’ Club to
enter final
Post Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 20: Manang Marsyangdi Club (MMC)
set up title clash with Mahendra Police Club (MPC) following their 2-1 win over Friends’
Club in the second semifinal of the Birendra Memorial Invitational football tournament on
Sunday.
The match, probably the most sensational of the
tournament so far, offered the huge crowd several nail-biting moments as both the teams
demonstrated some brilliant attacks at the both ends.
The match gain momentum with MMC’s first
goal. In the 17th minute, MMC striker Rajan Rayamajhi was brought down by Friends’
Club defender Sagar Thapa inside the 18-yard box. Referee Gyani Raja Maharjan pointed to
the spot without any hesitation. MMC captain Kumar Thapa took the charge himself and
converted the penalty to take lead.
The goal forced Friends’ Club to go on
attack. They made some attacking moves later in the first half but couldn’t score
within the first half.
In the 27th minute, Nirajan Rayamajhi failed to
direct his header inside MMC net when Shree Ram Shrestha made a brilliant cross at the
penalty area. Rayamajhi missed another chance in the 30th minute when he headed a Chandra
Tamang corner over the cross bar .
Two minutes later, Rayamajhi spoilt the most
convincing chance of the match as MMC defender Rajendra Tamang blocked his shot under the
bar.
The last chance for an equaliser came to Friends’
Club way in the 41st minute but MMC goalkeeper Binod Dangol made a marvellous dive to his
right to stop a Bal Gopal Maharjan’s left footer.
In the second half, both the goalkeepers
remained busy as MMC also came up with some excellent moves.
In the 60th minute, MMC were rewarded by a goal
to double the team’s tally at 2-0. Rajan Rayamajhi with sublime skill at the left
released a well-executed pass just in front of Deepak Lama whose powerful shot beat
Friends’ Club goalie Upendra Man Singh.
The match regained competitive touch when Bal
Gopal Maharjan’s left footer in the 82nd minute rounded off Binod Dangol providing
chance of a fight back for Friends’ Club.
The last eight minutes witnessed some
sensational play. Had Nirajan not hit the ball inches wide of the second bar in the 86th
minute, the match would have gone for the sudden death period. MMC held on to the lead
with their astute defense, in the last eight minutes, to close out the match.
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