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NRT into last eight
BIRATNAGAR, JAN 13 - New Road Team (NRT) sidelined visiting Taltala DS of Kolkata 3-0 today to enter Group ‘B’ quarterfinal of the Mahendra Gold Cup Football tournament being held at the local Saheed Maidan.
All the goals NRT scored in the match were scored in the second half and out of the three goals, striker Gudiya Rai created two. Gudiya, who had fashioned Mahaveer Club’s place among the elite ‘A’ division clubs in the country last week in Kathmandu, continued his imperious form to nail the visitors.
NRT were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute and Pradeep Dangol cashed the chance to make it 1-0. G Ghosh committed a ferocious tackle to Gudiya who was about to slot home inside a vacant net after dribbling past three defenders and the Kolkata goalie inside the 18-yard box. Without any hesitation, referee Amar Bahadur Pokharel pointed at the spot.
Dangol completed his brace in the 72nd minute through another penalty as NRT went 2-0 ahead. Again Gudiya produced the chance when Kolkata goalie demonstrated a back-footed tackle on him inside the box. Gudiya was later adjudged man of the match.
NRT veteran Hari Thakuri hammered the final nail in the coffin five minutes from time ending all hopes of the visitors from Kolkata. Takuri made good use of a clever pass from his younger teammate Lok Bandhu Gurung and fired home ball from the edge of the 18-yard area.
Kolkata dominated the first half and produced two lethal chances only to see both going in vain -thanks to winger Bimal Karki’s effort of clearing B Oran’s
header from the touch-line twice. NRT also faltered in the dominant second half as Lok Bandhu struck the woodwork in the 55th minute and Gudiya’s superb shot in the 80th minute also witnessed the same fate.
NRT will be in action back to back on Tuesday when they face Eastern Railways, Kolkata who defeated Rani Pokhari Corner Team (RCT) on Sunday. The winner will enter the semifinal to play against Tribhuvan Club. Mahendra Police Club already entered to the final from Group ‘A’.
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