Manang Marshyangdi Club Advances to Semifinals of Aaha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup After Narrow Victory

Kaski. Manang Marshyangdi Club has advanced to the semifinals of the ongoing National and International Inter-Club Invitational Aaha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup Football Tournament in Pokhara.

Manang secured its place in the final four by clinching a hard-fought 1-0 victory over guest team Thunderbold North United from Sikkim, India, in the third quarterfinal match held at the Pokhara Stadium on Monday.

No goals were scored by either team during the stipulated 90 minutes of the match. An additional 30 minutes was added thereafter. Ashish Shrestha of Manang scored the decisive goal in the injury time of the first half of the extra time. Shrestha headed the ball into the net from a corner kick.

Both teams missed some excellent goal-scoring opportunities during the match. Ashish Shrestha of Manang, who scored the winning goal, was declared the 'Man of the Match'. He received a prize of Rs 10,000.

Thunderbold's coach, Ashish Chhetri, stated that his players presented a good performance against a strong team like Manang. The final quarterfinal match of the tournament will be played on Tuesday between Planning Boys United and Aabha Football Club from Uzbekistan.

The organizing Sahara Club announced that the champion team of the tournament, which will run until Falgun 9, will receive a trophy, medal, and certificate along with a cash prize of Rs 1,401,000, while the runner-up team will receive a trophy along with Rs 701,000. In addition, the best player will receive a scooter, and five other category winners will each receive Rs 25,000 and a trophy.