POKHARA, JANUARY 27

Manang Marshyangdi Club defeated Tribhuvan Army Football Club 4-3 on penalties to enter the final of the 20th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup here at the Pokhara Stadium today.

The match was decided in tie-breaker after both the teams failed to score in regulation period and extra time.

Manang, who made it to their 12th final, will play against Nepal APF Club in the championship match of the prestigious tournament of mofussil on Saturday. APF had stunned Machhindra FC 3-1 on Wednesday to enter the final for the second time.

In tie-breaker, Franklin Kuette Talla, Shiva Gurung, Rupesh KC and Aditya Chaudhary scored for MMC, while Bishow Adhikari struck against the post. Likewise, Army skipper Bharat Khawas, George Prince Karki and Bibek Basnet converted their spot kicks, whereas Deepak Gurung hit the post and MMC goalkeeper Ashok Baral blocked an attempt from Youddha Shahi.

Earlier, MMC missed a chance to take an early lead after they failed to utlise a spot kick in the 10th minute of the match. MMC earned the penalty after TAC defender Youddha Shahi handled the ball inside the danger zone while trying to clear an attempt from forward Adelaja Somide and skipper Bimal Rana shot over the bar.

Army came close to breaking the deadlock in the 35th minute but their three attempts in the same move failed to bear fruits. Bibek Basnet could not make proper attack at the post before George Prince Karki's weak shot was punched back by MMC goalkeeper Ashok Baral and TAC skipper Bharat Khawas headed wide in rebound. At the other end, Adelaja Somide headed over the bar following a corner from Rajesh Pariyar in the 39th minute.

Goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu rescued Army in the 52nd minute with a brilliant dive to deny Afeez Olawale Oladio following a free kick from Rajesh Pariyar, while MMC defender Aditya Chaudhary cleared Bimal Pandey's diving header on George Prince Karki's free kick.

MMC came close to breaking the deadlock in the 66th minute but Army midfielder Seshahang Angdembe rescued his side from going down with a timely clearance to deny MMC forward Somide at a time when goalkeeper Kuthu was not in his proper position.

A total of 10 teams took part in the tournament organised by Sahara Club. The winners will be richer by one million, while the runners-up will get Rs 501,000. The organisers will use the profit earned from the tournament for Surya Bahadur KC Memorial Sahara Football Academy.

A version of this article appears in the print on January 28, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.