POKHARA, JANUARY 21
Nepal Police Club defeated Himalayan Sherpa Club in sudden death and entered the quarter-finals of the 20th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Pokhara Stadium today.
The match went to penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation and added time.
Both the teams converted four spot kicks each on penalties and the winner was decided by the second attempt of sudden death. Ram Waje scored the deciding goal before NPC substitute goalkeeper Roshan Khadka saved Purna Bahadur Gurung's shot to seal the victory.
Earlier, Nir Kumar Rai put NPC ahead in the 52nd minute following a through pass from Tirtha Rana after Ulrich Siwe failed to clear a cross from Ajit Bhandari.
Himalayan Sherpa levelled the scores seven minute alter after skipper Bishwas Shrestha found the back of the nets capitalising on NPC's defensive error.
Both the teams failed to break the deadlock in extra time and the match went to penalty shootout.
Tirtha Bahadur Rana, Nir Kumar Rai, Suman Subedi and Bhola Silwal converted their kicks for NPC, while Kapil Dhakal missed his attempt.
Himalayan Sherpa's Ulrich Siwe shot over the bar before Tridev Gurung, Aashish Gurung, Pistonl Mutumba and skipper Bishwash Shrestha scored to make it 4-4 in tie breaker.
Buddha Tamang of NPC and Jeevan Gurung of Himalayan Sherpa both scored in their first attempt in sudden death before NPC goalkeeper Roshan Khadka produced the moment of brilliant to block Purna Bahadur Khadka's shot after Ram Waje had put the departmental side ahead.
NPC will take on Manang Marshyangdi Club for a place in the last four. On Saturday, Nepal APF Club will play against Bhutanese Youth Sports Club of USA in the first quarter-final match of the tournament. While APF made it to the last eight after beating hosts Sahara Club 2-0 in opening match on Thursday, the BYSC - who are here under the leadership of former Nepal national team member Pralaya Rajbhandari - were directly drawn in the quarters.
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 22, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
