Machhindra FC beat APF to enter semifinal

2014-03-17

Machhindra Football Club (MFC) beat departmental team Armed Police Force (APF) by 2 goals to enter semifinal of the 5^th Simara Gold Cup 2014 at Simara on Monday. Today’s match was played in the morning due to our festival of color (Holi). Uttam Gurung and Bishal Rai scored a piece of goal of winning team in the 19^th and 22^nd minute respectively. 

Machhindra Club started the match impressively and they almost took an early lead in the 2^nd minute of the match but Bishal Rai failed to beat APF’s custodian Amrit Chaudhary. MFC created so many chances but their forwards did not able to crack down APF’s defenders. Machhindra had an organized team and their African recruit Zaza wasted a good chance to take a lead in the 6^th minute his shot went little wide from the bar. APF really missed their veteran forward Ganesh Lawati as their forwards failed to penetrate opponents. APF created a good chance in the 13^th minute Ranjan Bista’s shot hit the bar. Bishal Rai did his best to kick the ball from the 25 yard distance but his shot was well denied by APF’s custodian Amrit Chaudhary in the 16^th minute of the match. Finally, Machhindra broke the deadlock in the 19^th minute when Uttam Gurung scored to utilize a pass off Bishal Rai to take 1-0 up against APF. MFC doubled their tally in the 22^nd minute through Bishal Rai, who utilized Nico’s pass to make 2-0 up against APF. After conceding two goals APF looked confused and they did not show any signal to come back in the match. Machhindra almost triple their lead in the 30^th minute but Uttam Gurung’s brilliant shot was brilliantly saved by APF’s custodian Amrit Chaudhary. MFC played full attacking and confident football though Karna Limbu did not play in today’s match. Jangbu Sherpa of APF almost cut the deficit in the 42^nd minute of the match but Lama’s brilliant shot was brilliantly denied by MFC’s custodian Dinesh Thapa. In the second half APF tried to play some offensive football but they failed to do so as they did in their first round match against Saraswoti Youth Club. Ranjan Bista, Jangu Sherpa and Nabin Lama failed to break the deadlock in the second half. Bista’s shot was easily saved by MFC’s custodian Dinesh Thapa in the 48^th minute. Custodian Thapa also denied Jangu Sherpa and Nabin Lama in the 51^st minute and 55^th minute respectively to live MFC in the match. Machhindra Football Club was busy in midfield battle rather than in attacking battle in the second half, however MFC wasted two brilliant opportunities in the second half, Nico and Zaza wasted the good chance in the 70^th minute and 74^th minute respectively. Nico’s shot was brilliantly saved by APF’s custodian Amri Chaudhary, meanwhile Zaza’s shot went inch wide from the box. In the remaining time APF failed to break the deadlock of Machhindra Football Club and match ended in favor of MFC with 2 goals to enter semifinal of the tournament.