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MPC through to semifinals
KATHMANDU, DEC 09 - Hari Khadka’s late equaliser saved league runners-up Mahendra Police Club (MPC) the blushes as they played a 1-1 draw against Ever-ready Associates, Kolkata to enter the semifinals of the ANFA San Miguel Invitational Football Tournament at the Dashrath Stadium today.
Khadka, gaining his groove, scored three minutes from time to nullify an early goal struck by Kolkata’s J Sen. Had Kolkata beaten MPC, there was a slim chance of the star-studded MPC qualifying for the semifinals. But now they lead the table acquiring five points in three matches they played in the group-phase and can’t finish worse than second place in the group.
"Boys are doing very good under pressure," coach Yugambar Suwal told The Kathmandu Post after the match. "We knew that the team is the best among the invited teams and walking back with at least a point against them is good. I am happy that boys played brilliant football especially in the second half."
In their last encounter, Ever-ready had defeated MPC 2-0 in the semifinals of Tribhuvan Memorial Gold Cup held at Jhapa in February this year.
Ever-ready dominated the first half after gaining an early lead as early as in the eighth minute of the match. J Sen connected a powerful shot from inches outside the box that MPC goalkeeper Mani Chamling failed to judge. Chamling made a futile dive but failed to get to the ball as Kolkata took the lead 1-0.
After trailing by an early goal, MPC’s frontline felt nervous and lacked coordination in the entire first half. Hari found the net in the 41st minute but linesman Narendra Shrestha ruled it off-side. Kolkata also got a golden chance to double their lead but goalscorer Sen faltered inside the penalty area in the 29th minute.
Super-sub Parbat Pandey substituted veteran Raju Pulami and that worked for MPC as they started raiding Kolkata territory frequently in the second half. Coach Yugambar Suwal relied on youngsters and also replaced Dev Narayan Chaudhary with Kishor Subba.
Hari Khadka, Anil Adhikari and Ramesh Budathoki missed a chance each in the second half. In the 87th minute, Khadka ensured the presence of MPC in the competition providing a finishing touch to a beautiful shot from Budathoki at right. As substituted goalie G Das was anticipating the ball, Khadka interfered and slotted it in between Das and side bar to bring the match at level.
"We arrived just 45 minutes before the match started and it’s not an ideal thing to force you to play on the day you arrived," coach Asit Ghosh blamed organisers ANFA. "We did not get time to practice and acclimatise in very cold weather of Kathmandu," he went on. "The ball here is also very light and my boys were used to play with a heavy ball."
The second match slated for today is postponed for Tuesday.
Today’s match
Youth Team vs FCIPosted on: 2003-12-10 03:46
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