Nepal Police Club (NPC) stunned Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League champions Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) 1-0 in the Khaptad Gold Cup football tournament quarter-finals in Dhangadhi on Sunday.

Nir Kumar Rai scored the decisive goal in the 80th minute to stun the star-studded MMC and book a ticket to the semi-final. NPC only manged to finish sixth in the top-tier league concluded on Tuesday. In their league match on December 23, MMC had defeated NPC 1-0 on a goal from Adelaja Somide. NPC will take on either Sankata Club and Daphins Team Family of Cameroon in the semi-finals.

The entertaining match saw NPC matched the MMC performance. In an evenly contested game, MMC made the first move as Heman Gurung, declared the best midfielder of the league, forced NPC goalkeeper Satrudhan Chaudhary for a diving save. Tirtha Rana responded for NPC in the 29th minute as his 25-yard shot rattled the crossbar.

NPC upped their ante after the break and Rai squandered a chance shooting off target. NPC custodian Satrudhan Chaudhary kept his team in the game foiled a Mohomad Afeez header in the 62nd after a wonderful cross from Gurung. NPC finally struck in the 68th minute as Rai scored in a goal-mouth melee. Rai made a powerful volley capitalising on a Tej Tamang’s corner following deflection inside the area. Rai was declared man-of-the-match and got Rs 10,000.

MMC coach Tope Fuja said his side lost due to lack of fitness as his players were yet to recover from the lengthy league. “We really underformed today. Instead of taking more time off after the triumphant league run, we came here and the effect was everyone to see,” he said. Chyasal Club will take on Three Star Club in another quarter-final match on Monday. The knockout football tournament offers Rs 2.1 million to the champions and Rs 1 million to the runners-up.