With the victory, Three Star, fresh from lifting the title of Budhasubba Gold Cup in Dharan a week ago, advanced into the semifinals in Biratnagar. [break]
Bijay Dhimal´s lone goal in the first minute of the second half became the match decider as both sides were unable to score any other goals despite plenty of chances in the entertaining match.
Dhimal scored a header off a corner kick taken by Santosh Sahukhala in the 46th minute. Three Star could have taken an early lead but Victor Emode´s powerful strike in a cross from Sahukhala went wide in the fourth minute.
RCT then kept Three Star under constant pressure until the break. Olawele O Afiz´s shot from the box skied off in the 29th minute. RCT, however, couldn´t score despite continuous attacks.
It was Three Star that broke the deadlock against the run of play after the interval.
RCT pressed for an equalizer after Dhimal´s goal with more than a dozen attempts but all went in vain. RCT couldn´t regain its form after conceding the goal.
“Our boys played quite well but we were unlucky to concede the goal,” said RCT coach Madhu Karki.
Anil Ojha had a good chance to double the lead for Three Star in the 53rd minute but RCT defenders foiled his attempt after he wasted some time to shoot from the box.
Three Star´s goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong then made a superb save in the 64th minute to deny RCT an equalizer.
Three Star´s Victor was adjudged the man-of-the-match.
MMC gets walkover
Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) received a walkover on Tuesday as Hong Kong Nepalese Football Team did not arrive for the replay of their quarterfinal match.
The match had ended in a 2-2 draw on Monday and MMC had refused to take the penalty citing bad light despite repeated calls from the referee and organizer.
"The organizer was biased and favored MMC as it is an A division club of Nepal," Hong Kong coach Dev Gurung said, adding, "My boys were ready for the penalty shootout but the organizer bowed to MMC."
On Monday, the referee had tossed for the shootout. Hong Kong had won the toss and chose to strike first. But MMC declined to hit the penalty. The organizer then decided to reschedule the match for Tuesday morning.
"There were some weaknesses but Hong Kong gave a walkover," said Santosh Baniya, the vice-president of Birat Gold Cup organizing committee.
Hong Kong skipper Narendra Limbu also accused the host of favoring MMC. "We are not playing to earn money and we also know the rule of the game," Limbu said.
Meanwhile, the spectators who had arrived to watch the match chanted slogans against the organizer.
Yeti Airlines Himalayan Sherpa Club will take on MMC on Wednesday.
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