Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) eased into the semi-finals of the Aaha-Rara Gold Cup football tournament with a convincing 4-1 victory over Dharan FC on Sunday.

Skipper Anil Gurung and Sujal Shrestha scored two goals each for the four-time champions MMC at the Pokhara Stadium. Deepak Rai pulled one back for Dharan.

Shrestha put the top-tier team MMC ahead in the 33rd minute, heading home a cross from his skipper Gurung. The provider then turned scorer four minutes from the interval as he converted a pass from Olawale Oladipo Afeez. Gurung all but sealed

the game, adding his second and the team’s third goal in the 60th minute as he slammed home a cross from Rohit Chand.

MMC were far from over as Shrestha was in right place to score his second goal of the game as he pounced on the ball after Dharan FC goalkeeper Purna Chemjong blocked a shot from Gurung. Rai then reduced the deficit for Dharan in the 73rd minute but that was as close as they could come.

Dharan had made it to the quarter-finals by defeating Nepal Armed Police Force Club 1-0 in their previous game, while defending champions MMC were drawn directly into the quarter-finals.  MMC coach Chhiring Lopsang Gurung said his players gained greater confidence after scoring two goals in the first half.

“We played with more ease after the break and added more goals in the second half,” said Gurung. MMC will now play against the winners of Tuesday’s match between Sankata and Farashgunj Sporting Club of Bangladesh. Dharan FC coach Subhash KC took the defeat with grace.

“It’s natural to lose the game against a top team like MMC. They have a set team but we only assemble on a tournament basis, so the gulf in the performance was obvious,” added KC. Jhapa XI will take on Tribhuvan Army Club in another quarter-final match on Monday.