By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Bagmati Youth Club Sarlahi stunned A Division League Champions Machhindra FC on Tuesday to reach the semifinals of Khaptad Gold Cup football tournament being held in Dhangadhi. Bagmati secured a place in the last four after defeating Machhindra 4-2 in tie-breaker.
The match headed towards tie-breaker after the regular 90 minutes ended in a goalless draw. Both teams scored the first two goals from the penalty spot during the tie-breaker. Mahhindra’s Bishal Rai’s attempt to score the third goal for the club went wide. But Machhindra’s goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha foiled an attempt by Birgunj’s Diwas Limbu to bring the club back in contention. However, Machhindra’s Omoluza Nuren Karim also hit the ball wide to blow away their chance.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Machhindra’s coach Prabesh Katuwal said that the lost the match because they failed to capitalize on the chances they had during the regulation time. “We couldn’t utilize the chances we had. The players couldn’t perform cent percent also because of the pitch,” said Katuwal.
Bagmati had earlier defeated another A Division side New Road Team.
Manang Marshyangdi Club will face Himalayan Sherpa Club on Wednesday in the first semifinal match of the tournament organized by Sudur Paschim-XI Spors Club, Dhangadhi. Bagmati will lock horns with Friends Club in another semifinal on Thursday.
Altogether ten teams were registered for the competition. The winners of the championship will bag a purse of Rs 2.1 million while the runners-up will receive Rs 1 million.
