POKHARA, JANUARY 22

Nepal APF Club came from a goal down to defeat Bhutanese Youth Sports Club 3-1 and advanced to the semi-finals of the 20th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Pokhara Stadium today.

Rabi Thing scored a brace and Aawas Lamichhane netted one for the departmental side after Megal Polafox had put the United States-based team ahead. APF will now face the winners of the match between Machhindra Club and Sankata Club for a place in the final.

After a goalless draw in the first half, BYSC took the lead two minutes into the second half when unmarked Polafox headed home after Rajan Gurung failed clear Riley Urie's cross properly. Lamichhane levelled the scores from the spot in the 69th minute after APF's forward Armand Beadoum was brought down inside the box.

APF took the lead in the 84th minute when substitute player Rabi Thing slammed home from inside the box following a through pass from Lamichhane. Thing then sealed the victory for APF with his second goal of the match in the fourth minute of the injury time with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.

On Sunday, Manang Marshyangdi Club will take on Nepal Police Club in quarter-final match. A total of 10 teams are taking part in the tournament organised by Sahara Club.

The winner will be richer by one million and one thousand rupees, while the runners-up will get Rs 501,000.

The profit of the tournament will be used for Surya Bahadur KC Memorial Sahara Football Academy, which has been providing shelter, education and football training to orphans.

A version of this article appears in the print on January 23, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.