POKHARA, March 9: Manang Marsyangdi Club has reached the semifinal of the ongoing Aaha Rara Gold Cup defeating Jhapa XI 1-0 in a match played at Pokhara Stadium’s football ground in Pokhara on Sunday.
The five times Gold Cup champions Manang’s decisive goal was claimed by national team attacker Anjan Bista. The midfield maverick Bista scored in the 75th minute of the match pouncing on a long-pass produced by Pujan Upreti. Bista attempted a first-time shot from outside the D-box area to score a stunner at the near post.
Comparatively better side, Manang struggled to control the game with its usual physical game. The Pokhara crowd favorite team and Jhapa XI mostly wasted time throughout the match until the 75th minute when moment of brilliance from Bista sealed the victory.
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Bimal Rana had a golden opportunity to take lead in the 21st minute. Unmarked Rana picked up an incisive pass from Nishan Limbu but his strike went over the post. Similarly, Manang missed another opportunity to double the lead in the end minutes. Dayanand Rai made a forward pass to substitute player Jeevan Gurung whose attempt missed the target.
Likewise, Jhapa also had a day to forget in the pitch. Sunil Khadka’s attempt in the first half’s added minute was saved by Manang goal-keeper Ashok Baral. The poor day in the field was summed up by Jhapa with a last second miss. With just above 20 seconds to go, Avishek Gurung failed to make the pass count as Bishal Rai ‘B’s shot missed the target.
Manang coach Fuja Tope rued tiredness due to long travel as the prime reason for the lackluster performance from the A-Division outfit.
“The players were tired due to travelling. I am happy that we somehow manage to grab a win. We will definitely need an improved performance in the semifinal.”
Similarly, Jhapa XI’s coach Santosh Gurung is satisfied with the fight his team put against a superior opponent. He stressed that it was margin of errors as Jhapa players failed to convert close chances.
Bista was adjudged the player-of-the-match.
Three Star Club will face India’s Gangtok Football Club in the quarterfinal match on Monday.
Manang General Secretary red-carded
Manang’s general secretary Anil Gurung has been handed a ban from appearing in another match. He was reprimanded for using foul language from the dug-out against referees officiating the match. Match official Navindra Maharjan showed a red-card to Gurung during the match.
Maharjan produced a card after Gurung refused to leave the dug-out area despite the fourth official’s request.
200th Match
Sahara Club Pokhara also celebrated the 200th football match in the Gold Cup. The president of the club, Keshav Bahadur Thapa stated that, the match between Manang and Jhapa XI was the 200th match of the Gold Cup, which also included the matches from the Caravan Gold Cup series, which were played before Aaha Rara.
