Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) advanced to the semi-finals of the second Hetauda International Invitational Gold Cup football tournament with a tense 3-2 win over Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club on Sunday.

Olawale Oladipo Afeez scored a brace and Sissokko added another for 10-man MMC, while Anjan Bista struck twice late on for a nervy finish of the quarter-final contest.

Sissokko had opened the scoring for the defending champions MMC in the 32 minute, the forward heading home a corner kick from Dona Thapa. MCC were leading 1-0 by the 55th minute when their skipper Sujal Shrestha was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Ranjan Bista.

Despite playing with a man down, MMC doubled their lead through Afeez in the 66th minute before the same player added another goal six minutes from time.

The departmental outfits finally made their numerical advantage count when Anjan scored in the 88th minute. He struck again three minutes into the injury time but MMC kept their cool and held firm to secure a passage into the semi-finals.

MMC coach Chhiring Lopsang Gurung said his team had to battle for the victory due to poor fitness level of his players. “In fact, we were nowhere near out true game. We were lucky to score first, otherwise it would have been altogether a different outcome,” added the MMC coach.