Army, Machhindra through

By A Staff Reporter,Lalitpur, Feb. 25: Tribhuvan Army Club FC and Machhindra FC cruised into the semi-finals of the KP Oli Cup National Football Championship on Friday.

Army defeated New Road Team (NRT) 5-4 in a penalty shootout after the regulation time ended in a 1-1 draw at ANFA Complex, Lalitpur in the first match of the day.

Jagjeet Shrestha, Tek Bahadur Budhathoki, Bikash Khawas, Dinesh Henjan and Nawayug Shrestha netted for Army in the penalty shootout.

Jean Anicet Mboumi, Lalminzama, Nicolas Song and Bikram Dhimal converted their spot kicks for NRT.  Army custodian Bikesh Kuthu blocked the penalty of Stephane Junior to help his team advance in the semis. 

Kuthu was declared the Player of the match. Army will take on the Satdobato Youth Club (SYC) in the semi-finals. Machhindra oust Church Boys In the second match, Machhindra Football Club registered a 2-1 victory over Church Boys United.

Skipper Sujal Shrestha and Ranjit Dhimal netted one goal apiece for the winning side.  Church Boys United was gifted a goal from the Top tier league champions following an own-goal from Chhiring Gurung.

Skipper Shrestha put Machhindra ahead in the 16th minute converting his long-range free-kick into the goal. Dhimal doubled the tally in the 40th minute. 

Church Boys cut the deficit in the 65th minute after Machhindra’s player Chhiring Gurung scored on his own post.

Skipper Shrestha was declared the Player of the match for his match-winning feat. Machhindra will meet the winner between KP FC and Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) in the semi-finals.