Sujal Shrestha scored the decider.[break]
Earlier, in the first match of the day, Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club brushed aside the humiliating defeat suffered in the first match of the league round as they hammered Saraswoti Youth Club, who were limited to 10 men after the interval, 5-0 in their second match at the Dasharath Stadium.
However, Jawalakhel must play a draw in their next match against Bansbari to ensure their place in the last eight. On the other hand, Bansbari must defeat Jawalakhel if they are to progress to the knockout round as both the teams have equal three points from two matches played.
Jawalakhel are ahead on the basis of number of goals scored. Jawalakhel have scored five goals while Bansbari have scored three. Jawalakhel were defeated 5-0 by MMC in their first match while Bansbari had beaten Saraswoti 3-2.
All the goals for Jawalakhel on Sunday came after the interval. Karna Subba scored the second hat-trick of the tournament in Jawalakhel´s victory. Subba scored in the 49th, 66th and 69th minutes after Bishal Rai B (No 9) had put Jawalakhel ahead in the first minute of the second half. Laxmi Narayan Shrestha sealed the victory in the 75th minute.
Saraswoti were reduced to 10 men after Basant Kumar Basnet received his marching orders from referee Sudish Pandey in the 58th minute for a second bookable offense when he fouled Bishal Rai A (No 18) inside the box.
Earlier, Santosh Sahukhala of MMC had scored the first hat-trick of the tournament against Jawalakhel.
Jawalakhel coach Rajaram KC said that his team had an advantage over the opponents after they played with one more player after the interval. "We had aimed to win the match at any cost, and we did it," KC said, adding that his team is slowly getting set in the tournament.
KC´s counterpart Nabin Parajuli opined that his team came under pressure after they were down by a goal during the second half. "We have taken this tournament as a trial for the upcoming league and had trained for only two weeks for the event."
In another match, a lone goal from striker Sujal Shrestha for MMC during the second half turned out to be the decider. Shrestha scored in the 78th minute from close range in Anjan KC´s pass. The ball had reached KC after a header from Bansbari´s Nabin Lama.
In the first half Bansabri squandered a scoring opportunity when skipper Buddha Gurung missed a one-on-one with goalie Bishal Shrestha.
MMC coach Bal Gopal Maharjan said that his side came under pressure as the opponents were completely new for them. He also lauded Bansbari´s performance.
Bansbari manager Rajesh Shrestha said that a single mistake could have cost them the match and that is what exactly happened. He, however, expressed satisfaction over the team´s performance.
Monday´s matches
United Youth Vs Bauddha FC
NRT Vs Nepal Army Club
Related story
MMC advances into last four
