Pepsi Seven-A-Side: Host and NAC enters QF

Kathmandu April 16, Nepal Army Club (NAC) and the host team Nepal Seven-A Side advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2nd Seven–A Side Pepsi International Football Tournament that kicked off here on Thursday at Dasharath Stadium.

NAC registered a 2-0 victory over Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) in the 50 minute match. In the competitive match, Pradip Kunwar opened the score for NAC in the 17th minute utilizing a clever one-touch pass forwarded by Bikarna Shrestha. Likewise, substitute Hari Bahadur Mahato doubled the advantage for Army in the second last minute of the match with an attractive shot from outside the D-box.

Earlier, in the fifth minute, NAC custodian and skipper Bikash Malla made a brilliant dive to save a powerful shot from Santosh Gurung. In 14th minute, RCT goalie punched a powerful strike off Raju Tamang. Pradip kunwar of the winning side was adjudged the man of the match.

In the first match of the day, Uttam Gurung scored twice as the hosts Nepal Seven-A Side team thrashed the visitors Kalimpong 4-1. Bijay Gurung gave an early lead to the hosts in the 11th minute utilizing a short pass off Chandra Gurung inside the D-box but could not hold the lead as Niten Rai leveled the match in the 25th minute. Gurung scored out of the chaos inside the D-box.

Uttam Gurung scored the second for the hosts in the 32nd minute utilizing the pass from Bijay Gurung inside the D-box and netted another in the 39th minute. Bishnu KC scored another for the hosts in the 37th minute. The visitors made some powerful attempts but could not score any goal.