Bharat Shah and Jumanu Rai scored for the departmental team while skipper Anil Gurung replied for MMC in the semi-final match held at the Pokhara Stadium. Shah gave NPC an early fourth minute lead, scoring from inside the area that comfortably beat the MMC custodian Bishal Shrestha. Shah was in hand to give the final touch following a pass from Rai.

However, NPC’s lead did not last long as Gurung headed home a corner kick from Bishal Rai in the 16th minute. Despite conceding an equaliser, NPC kept searching for another goal and their efforts duly paid off four minutes later as skipper Rai scored the second goal which ultimately turned out to be the decider. NPC suffered a blow when Rai had to be substituted in the 33rd minute after the striker sustained injury. But the Policemen stood firm to preserve their lead until the end to send the two-time champions out of the competition.

NPC coach Birat Krishna Shrestha said his side should have added more goals in the second half but for the lack of coordination between the players. “We adopted attacking game in the first half but were content in playing safe,” added the NPC coach.

MMC coach Nabin Neupane rued the missed chances. “All in all, NPC played a good game but we also contributed to our defeat by squandering too many scoring opportunities in the game,” said Neupane. Neupane said that defensive lapses also contributed to his side conceding the goals. MMC played the last seven minutes with one man down after Heman Gurung received marching order for his second bookable offense in the 83rd minute.

NPC had made it to the last four with victory over Tribhuvan Army Club and Rupandehi XI while MMC had won against Saraswoti Club for a place in the semi-finals. NPC will play for the championship against the winners of Thursday’s semi-final match between Three Star Club and Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club.