Manang Marshyangdi Club in Semi Final

2014-05-5
Nepal’s League champions Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) on Monday entered the finals of the last edition of the AFC President’s Cup with a goalless draw with Erchim FC (EFC) of Mangolia. MMC, who had defeated Svarieng FC of Cambodia 6-3 in their tournament opener on Thursday, needed Erchim FC to defeat Svarieng FC on Saturday and the Mongolian club returned with a 3-1 victory. The result saw both MMC and Erchim secure their berths for the finals offered from the group.
MMC’s qualification for the finals also helped them secure a spot in the 2015 AFC Cup playoffs, becoming the first Nepali team to do so. The AFC Cup will be participated by the bottom 23 teams out of 47 Asian Football Confederation members. The outcome of the match between MMC and Erchim on Monday will determine the group winners. Nabin Neupane of MMC was happy with the desired outcome. “This is exactly the result we had been waiting for. To reach the finals is a gift for Nepali football. We had headed for the tournament without getting any match exposure but we gave our best here to qualify for the finals,” said Neupane.

MMC, who had knockout of the group stage of the 2006 edition, are the third Nepali club to reach the President’s Cup finals after Three Star and Nepal Police Club. Skipper Sagar Thapa said MMC have proved them by reaching the finals. “We have made our point that we can be formidable teams like Three Star and NPC,” the skipper added. Neupane and Thapa both have one appearance in the President’s Cup from MMC and New Road Team respectively. Neupane believes taking the team to the finals as a coach has given him a boost. “This tournament was a test for me as a coach which I passed. I am now confident that we can top the group on Monday,” said Neupane.
Host EFC started the match with attacking note and they almost punished MMC defender but custodian Bishal Shrestha did his best to deny EFC player in the 4th minute. MMC looked under pressure in the opening minute as they almost took a lead in the 5th minute but MMC defender Peter Segun hardly clear the ball from outside the box. MMC’s custodian Bishal Shrestha was smart enough to deny host’s attacking in the 7th minute. The first good move came from MMC in the 10th minute but Sujal Shrestha’s good kick was easily denied by EFC’s custodian. EFC wasted a golden chance in the 32nd minute as EFC player failed to score in open goal post. MMC looked defensive and they did not have mood to play attacking football. In the second half too EFC played attacking football and they gave immense pressure on MMC defenders. Erchim got a free kick and their superb free kick was well blocked by MMC captain Sagar Thapa and in the rebounded ball EFC’s strike was beautifully saved by MMC’s custodian Bishal Shrestha in the 64th minute. MMC’s defender Saheed Aziz was sent off in the 81st minute as he received second yellow card to receive red card. MMC was lucky in the 87th minute and 90+2 minute as referee disallowed Erchim’s goal on both occasions. With this result MMC became a group winner with superior goal difference and Erchim became group runner up.
                                                                 MMC starting Xi
Goalkeeper: Bishal Shrestha
Defender: Sagar Thapa (Captain), Saheed Aziz, Biraj Maharjan, Peter Segun
Midfielder: Bishal Rai, Rupesh KC, Sujal Shrestha, Shiva Shrestha
Forward: Nirajan Malla,  Deepak Rai