Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) defeated hosts Kakadbhitta Football Training Centre in sudden death penalty shootout to enter the final of the Kakadbhitta Gold Cup football tournament on Wednesday.

The match was decided directly through spotkick after 80 minutes of regulation time ended in a 0-0 draw and the penalty shootout also ended in a 4-4 deadlock. MMC converted all four attempts in the sudden death but Kakadbhitta’s Florence smashed their fourth shot from the spot in the bar. Both teams played with a man down.

Nepali international players Bimal Gharti Magar, Biraj Maharjan, Bishal Rai and Ananta Tamang all converted from spots in the sudden death. Bhusan Limbu, Suraj Sunar and Bishnu Sunar converted from the spot.

The result meant MMC, who overcame Rupandehi XI in the sudden death penalty shootout in the quarter-finals, will renew rivalry will Tribhuvan Army Club in the final on Friday. A week earlier MMC had clinched the Satashi Gold Cup title in Jhilljhile by defeating Army in the final.

Kakadbhitta squandered a chance as early as in the fourth minute after Anil Gurung failed to score in a Bhusan Limbu pass. In the 12th, Nepali international Sujal Shrestha hit off target in a Gharti Magar pass. Prakash Budathoki wasted another opportunity in the 20th minute before his curling freekick sailed just over the bar.

In the 47th Bishal Rai of MMC headed wide and his teammate Gharti Magar struck wayward from the edge of box moments later. In the 58th Kakadbhitta skipper Kandangwa was sent off for misbehaving with referee Nabindra Maharjan. Kandangwa got the marching order after he snatched and hurled the yellow card shown to him for a foul on Sujal Shrestha.

The numerical imbalance did not last longer as Sujal was also sent off after being booked for the second time in the 69th. Anil Gurung, who had recently announced retirement from the national team, entered the pitch for the last 10 minute but failed to make any impact.

MMC coach Bijay Ghale said lack of team work and proper coordination made the game very difficult. His Kakadbhitta counterpart Pema Norbu Sherpa counted costs of missed opportunities. “We came under pressure after losing Kandangwa. We put on a good performance but were unable to score,” added Sherpa.