Kathmandu, March 16: A controversial penalty decision from referee dashed Friends Club’s hopes of entering into the final of the  Khukuri Gold Cup Soccer Championship as Mahendra Police club pipped them 1-0 in today’s second semifinal.

The Friends boys threw better performance despite being undone by the referee Surendra Shikakar’s unfortunate penalty decision in the 34th minute after the Friends custodian lunged forward to save a lob.

Aman Adhikari of Friends Club jumps into air to gain control over ball against MPC defender Katwal in today’s semifinal.

Custodian Lalit Chand, in his attempt to save the shot,collided with advancing MPC forward Sal Bahadur Karki. But despite awarding advantage of  benefit of doubt in favour of keeper Chand, the erring Shikakar awarded the penalty in favour of police team that ultimately eliminated the Kupondole team from their race to final. The MPC will  now face favourites Manang Marshyangdi  Club in the final Saturday.

Referee Shikakar had to bear the brunt of boos and jeers of many spectators  for his erring decision. After the match he was almost assaulted physically by angry Friends fans. Police had to escort him to save him from angers of the spectators who had to watch unbearably  listless performance from the MPC sides.

During the first half, the game remained confined to center of the pitch as no sides could make an impression. No effective moves were woven, no potent shots could reach near the goalies of the both sides.

MPC strikers, Sal Bahadur Karki and Ramesh Budathoki found it hard to break into the striking zone and  remained confined to the middle of the field as they were marked effectively  by Friends midfielders and defenders. Ditto for Friends strikers Bill Tamang and Sukra Tamang and Aman Adhikary.

However, during one of the ineffectual moves , a high lob landed  inside Friends penalty area that resulted in the uneventful penalty decision in favor for MPC. Ohterwise the whole of the second half saw a listless performance from  both sides.

In the second half, however, both teams tried to outplay each other with their improved moves. Pressurized by the physically strong policemen whose defenders Rakseh Shrestha and Anil Adhikari handled Friends strikers well,  the Kupondole boys  fired long range shots in an attempt to find an equaliser. Dimunitive Sushil K.C and brother Sujeet K.C. once again performed impressively by feeding the ball smartly to their colleagues. In the 34th minute Bill Tamang came very close to strike it home but failed to keep his balance in the face of   harrowing MPC defenders and just put his shot away. Sukra Tamang squandered an easy header in the second half’s  injury time.

MPC’s custodian Binod Kharel also managed to do better under the bar while fellow strikers Karki and Budathoki failed to cash in opportunities as their shots either went haywire or put off by Chand. Star MPC player Dev Narayan chaudahri also could not make impression today while ace striker Hari Khadka was forced  to  sit out sufffering injuries in the league round.