Shiva sends Manang into semis

KATHMANDU, JUN 08 -
Prolific midfielder Shiva Shrestha scored on either side of the half to guide Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club to the semi-finals as they knocked out NMB Machhindra FC 2-0 in the Gurkha Cup on Friday.
The first quarter-final of the tournament hosted at Dashrath Stadium was a slip and slide affair as the field suffered consequences of a heavy downpour which ceased only moments before the start of the match.
Manang were first to sprout threat at their opponent’s den as Sujal Shrestha’s diving header connected on Yona Elias’ cross from the right flank but missed the mark by inches in the 10th minute.
However, the next header by Shiva ended at the back of the net. Sujal took the free-kick in the 14th minute to set up Shiva who rose above all to head the ball home.
With the majority of the time still left to be played, Shiva once again assaulted the opposition’s end as he dispatched a powerful drive from the edge of the box but this time Machhindra custodian Dinesh Thapa made a full stretched dive to prevent the ball getting through.
Minutes later, Machhindra came close to equalising when Karna Limbu was clear through on goal but his left footed attempt was well saved by Manang keeper Bishal Shrestha.
The tempo of the match gained intensity with each passing second and players from both teams were on the hunt to either equalise or double the lead.
Although Machhindra were prepared to put up a fierce fight to get back in the game, Manang doused their fire soon after the break. Once again it was Shiva who got the better of Machhindra as he pierced a shot past Thapa in the 49th minute. Deepak Rai did well to trick his marker and set up Shiva who let loose a superb scorcher from the point which penetrated through to the left corner of the post.
In a counter move few moments later, Shiva’s long ranged through ball was met by Elias who charged forward to find himself in a one on one situation with Thapa but he unselfishly cut across to Anil Gurung who could have scored a simple tap in goal if he had not tripped on the muddy surface; however, he did manage to recollect himself and dispatch a shot but Debendra Tamang of Machhindra was present to make a goalline clearance.
Manang coach Amrit Panta commented that the ground was not in a suitable condition. “We thought today’s match would be postponed but still we came and performed well.”
Meanwhile Machhindra coach Raju Kaji Shakya lamented that his team were unable to prepare at all for the tournament.
“The new players in our team need more time to better their co-ordination and we cannot improve this aspect since we do not have a ground for practice. There needs to be more maintained grounds to develop the game, otherwise such consequences that our club has suffered will continue,” commented Shakya.