POKHARA, JANUARY 26
Nepal APF Club stunned 10- man Machhindra Football Club 3-1 in the semi-finals of the 20th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup here at the Pokhara Stadium today.
Sanish Shrestha, Pradip Lama and skipper Nabin Lama scored one goal each as the departmental side made it to the final of the tournament for the first time in 14 years. APF had entered the final in the sixth edition of the prestigious tournament of mofussil.
Omolaja Nurain Kareem scored the consolation goal for the Martyrs Memorial A Division League leaders Machhindra.
Sanish Shrestha put APF ahead in the 25th minute when he brilliantly jumped to the air and headed home following a free kick from Mani Lama.
Machhindra levelled the scores in the 40th minute after unmarked Omolaja Nurain Kareem headed home on a free kick from skipper Ranjit Dhimal.
APF retook the lead in the 68th minute after Pradip Lama capitalised on miscommunication between Machhindra defense and goalkeeper and slammed home following a cross from his skipper Nabin Lama at a time when custodian Surya Adhikari was not in his proper position.
Machhindra were reduced to 10 men in the 71st minute after Omolaja Nurain Kareem received a red card for arguing with referee Nabindra Maharjan.
APF skipper Nabin Lama completed the scoring in rebound after Machhindra goalkeeper Adhikari blocked an attempt from Awas Lamichhane in the seventh minute of the injury time. On Thursday, Tribhuvan Army Club will play against Manang Marshyangdi Club in the second semi-final match.
The final is slated for Saturday.
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, which has been providing shelter, education and football training to orphans.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 27, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
