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Manang beats APF 5-0 to enter final of Pokhara Cup

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POKHARA, April 20: Afeez Olaawale scored a hat-trick as Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club thrashed APF Club 5-0 on Wednesday to sail into the final of the Manakamana Cable Car Pokhara Cup Football Tournament being held at the Pokhara Stadium in Kaski.

Skipper Anil Gurung and Rabi Paswan were also on the score-sheet for victorious Manang that scored two goals in the first half and added three more goals after the interval.

Manang, which adopted attacking approach from the beginning, had to wait until the 32nd minute to take lead against the departmental side with skipper Anil on target.

Anil scored the goal after Afeez's powerful shot rebounded as APF goalkeeper Amrit Chaudhary tried to block the shot.

Later, Afeez doubled the advantage in the 40th minute off Bishal Rai's cross.

With a 2-0 lead in the first half, Manang added another goal soon after the second half kicked off.

Afeez's powerful shot from the center entered the net straightaway following a long pass from Heman Gurung in the 46th minute.

Afeez completed his hat-trick just four minutes later. Afeez scored the goal from the penalty area after Sujal Shrestha's powerful shot rebounded when APF goalie Amrit failed to hold the ball.

Rabi scored the fifth goal of the match in the 76th minute to wrap up the match in favor of Manang which also wasted a number of goal-scoring chances.

Afeez received the man-of-the-match award.

Hapless APF create just a single goal-scoring chance throughout the match. Ranjan Bista could have scored an early goal in the 6th minute for APF in a one-on-one situation with Manang goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong, but his approach was not too convincing for a perfect finish.

Elated with the victory, Manang coach Chhiring Lopsang said that his side is on the right track and added that the win came after players created chances and executed them perfectly.

“The players created good moves and utilized most of the chances,” said Lopsang.

Meanwhile, APF coach Janak Singh said that his side produced an unexpected result.

“Our players failed to play good game and looked exhausted,” said Singh.

On Thursday's semifinal, Tribhuvan Army Club will face Dharan XI. The final match will be played on Saturday.



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