Bishal Rai A (jersey no 17), one among eight new signing from Jawalakhel Youth Club scored in either half to send the rejuvenated Machchhindra to quarterfinal. [break]
Other three players included in the starting line up of Machchhindra were former Three Star Club, Armed Police Force and Himalayan Sherpa Club players. Yugal Kishor Rai got one back for RCT.
Machchhindra will now meet the winner among Jawalakhel Youth Club and Himalayan Sherpa Club in the semifinal.
Rai, who was declared the most valuable player of match, scored during early and late moment of the match for Machchhindra. Rai put Machchhindra in charge in early third minute and sealed victory with a second goal five minutes from time.
Rai tapped in from six yard box to open score after RCT goalie Prem Kumar Tamang dropped Deepak Rai´s header off Laxmi Narayan Shrestha´s corner. All three players involved in scoring the opener were former Jawalakhel players.
RCT however leveled scoring in the 64th minute when its new signing from Three Star Yugal Kishor Rai lashed in a powerful shot from the area after controlling a pass from Amar Dangol.
Machchhindra restored its lead in the 85th minute capitalizing on RCT player Dipesh Thapa Magar´s error, who failed to clear an easy ball in the six yard box paving way for Rai to seal the victory.
Earlier, RCT had scored in the injury time of first half through Bhim Darlami but assistant referee ruled it as offside. RCT coach Madhu Karki, however, was suspicious whether it was an offside. "We don´t think it was an offside. We will watch the replay," Karki said.
Machchhindra totally dominated the show from the start to finish of the match and created host of chances but failed to finish. Machchhindra´s hero Rai squandered four scoring chances in one-versus-one with goalie Tamang. Karna Limbu missed twin scoring chances and Dipak Rai also wasted chances.
Machhindra´s coach Dikan Suwal, also the in charge of the club while it was promoted to A division seven years ago, expressed displeasure towards his side´s performance despite the victory. "The boys displayed good teamwork but lacked fitness," Suwal said, adding, "We came under pressure after conceding equalizer and missed numerous scoring chances in the first half."
Diken, who has been appointed just for this tournament, said, though he has set his eyes for a place in the final, he was facing scarcity of ground for training.
´Nepali players are unprofessional´
Madhu Karki, RCT coach
Nepali footballers are unprofessional. Professional footballers are themselves conscious about their fitness. Most of the footballers in Nepal lack professionalism, be it Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) or any other team.
The demand of players is very high and clubs are forced to meet their demands as the clubs do not have many options. In today´s match, none of the players, either of Machchhindra Club or RCT, were fit.
There was not much change in RCT´s squad today compared to last season. But the players´ performance and their level of fitness was very poor compared to in the last season.
During the time of signing, clubs are forced to bow to the demands of players as the clubs do not have much option. Very few good players are produced.
While we were playing, the scene was different. We got paid only a few thousands (Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000). But the minimum that A division players now demand is Rs 30,000. They, however, don´t know that they should keep fit after they are paid such a heavy amount.
We were disciplined and obeyed orders from coach. But these days it is hard to find disciplined players.
This isn´t just an expression of frustration after the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Machchhindra but the reality of Nepali football.
(Karki is the coach of RCT and former captain of the team. He is also former Nepali international defender. He made such comment during the post match conference on Monday.)
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