Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) take on TC Sports Club of Maldives in the first semi-finals of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup football tournament at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, Bangladesh, on Monday.

While MMC only made it to the last four as the Group ‘B’ runners-up, TC Sports finished on top of the Group ‘A’ to set up clash with the top-tier Nepali club. MMC pipped Mohammedan Sporting Club of Bangladesh on head-to-head record for a place in the semi-finals.

MMC beat Mohammedan Sporting 2-0 before losing 3-1 to Shaheen Asmayee of Afghanistan in their second pool game. And a 2-2 draw with table-topper Chittagong Abahani ensured MMC’s berth in semi-finals.

Unlike MMC, TC Sports topped their pool without losing a single game as they beat Abahani Limited of Dhaka 1-0 before defeating Alga Bishkek of Kyrgyzstan 2-1. They played a 1-1 stalemate in the last Group ‘A’ game against Pocheon FC of South Korea.

MMC coach Chhiring Lopsang Gurung said his side was prepared for the semi-final showdown against the Maldivian outfits. Coach Gurung is anticipating a competitive match on Monday. “We are mentally and physically prepared for the game and will go for an outright victory,” said the coach speaking during the pre-match press conference on Sunday.

MMC coach said that his side had to make it to the semi-finals the hard way despite their excellent performance in the group stage. “The standard of both teams are somewhat the same and so whoever capitalize on the chances will win the game,” added Gurung.

MMC skipper Anil Gurung believed that his team has the potential to beat the likes of TC Sports. “We are a compact, hard working team and our style of play will help us achieve our goal: the victory,” said the skipper.

TC Sports coach Mohamed Nizam was equally confident of his team’s success against MMC. “I hope to make an easy ride in the semi-final on Monday,” said Nizam. The eventual champions will receive $30,000 and the runners-up will earn $ 15,000.

The other semi-final match on Tuesday pits Chittagong vs Pocheon FC.