Dhangadhi: Nepal APF Club defeated hosts Farwest Sports Club 2-0 and advanced to the final of the second International Invitational Nepal Ice Farwest Khaptad Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Dhangadhi Stadium today.

Anjan Bista and Nabin Lama scored a goal each to send APF in the final, where they will face another departmental side Tribhuvan Army Club on Monday. TAC had defeated Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club 3-1 in the first semi-final match on Saturday.

Bista broke the deadlock in the 57th minute utilising a cross from his teammate Yuvraj Khadka after Farwest players completely misjudged the ball. Left by all defenders, Khadka collected the ball and passed it to Bista, who did not mistake in putting it into the goal.

The match was halted for a couple of minutes after Farwest’s fans threw water bottles claiming that the ball had crossed the goal line. When the match resumed, Lama doubled the tally in the 77th minute in counter attack and silenced around 10,000 local supporters.

The hosts tried hard to return back in the game but failed to convert the scoring chances.

APF’s Nabin Lama was named the man-of-the-match and he got Rs 10,000.

APF coach Ratnakaji Maharjan said his side was able to put pressure on the hosts after taking the lead. “The victory boosted our morale for the final. Although playing the final without rest could create a problem but we will come up with proper strategy against the TAC,” said Maharjan.

Farwest coach Lalit Chand said his side lost the match due to lack of coordination among the players. “We played a good game in the beginning but the players failed to stick with the plan. We lost the match due to poor coordination among the players,” said Chand.

The winners and runners-up of the tournament will get Rs 1.11 million and Rs 555,555 respectively.