Pokhara, January 10:

Giant killers Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club edged Sahara UK 1-0 to enter the final of the sixth Aaha Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Pokhara Stadium today.

Durga Rajlawat scored the decider for the department team to guide his team to the final here for the first time. Rajlawat scored the winner in a goal-mouth melee in the 44th minute for APF, who upset star-studded New Road Team in the prequarter-finals.

APF will now play against two-time champions Nepal Police Club in Saturday’s final in the match-up of the departmental teams.

In their bid to make it to the finals, Sahara UK had acquired the services of RCT players Prabesh Katuwal and Pradeep Acharya for the game. Sahara UK were unlucky twice hitting cross bar. Bahr Laksamba’s 25-yard shot rebounded of the cross bar in the fifth minute before Simon Williams hit the woodwork in the 74th minute. APF goalkeeper Chandan Sarkar also denied a 25-yard free-kick from Sahara UK skipper Nawal Gurung in the 72nd minute.

Sahara came close to level the scores in the first minute of the second half injury time. With APF goalie Sarkar lying on ground, defender Bishal Rai cleared Anil Lama’s attempt from the goal line.

Immediately in a counter attack, Ajay KC had a goal-scoring chance when he shot in an unattended post but Sahara defender Krishna Kunwar used his hand to block the ball. Referee Lava Khatri sent off Kunwar and awarded a spot kick to APF, but Pradeep Karki ruined the chance hitting the bar.

APF coach Dambar Singh Gurung was not happy with his boys’ show. “My boys failed to deliver what I have expected of them. Our players invited pressure for themselves after they resorted into defending the lead in the second half,” said coach Gurung.

Sahara UK coach Geff Glasgow said that luck was against them. “We missed quite a few chances and conceded a silly goal,” said Glasgow. He also said that his midfield could not assist the forward.

“Our weakened left wing also contributed to our cause,” he said adding APF were a beatable side.