Dharan, March 8:

Rishi Rai scored the lone goal as hosts Dharan Football Club upset Mahendra Police Club 1-0 and entered the final of the eighth Budha Subba Gold Cup Football Tournament here today.

Rai found the net in the third minute of the 80-minute match following Shekhar Limbu’s pass. This is the first time in four years that the hosts have entered the final. They had earlier made it the final in the fourth edition.

MPC failed to penetrate through Dharan defence led by Pradeep Acharya, who was later named the man of the match. MPC managed a goal in the seventh minute, but Parbat Pandey’s equaliser was ruled offside.

Dipendra Poudel’s shot went over the bar in the 22nd minute, while Dharan defender Pradeep Acharya saved Arjun Rijal’s close-range attempt in the 30th. MPC came close in the 60th minute but Ananta Thapa failed to head home from close range after Arjun Rijal’s attempt rebounded to play hitting the cross bar.

Apart form the goal, Dharan FC created other three opportunities, which Rishi Rai failed to utilise. Rai muffed up a chance on skipper Milan Shrestha’s pass inside the penalty area in the 29th minute. Sudip Limbu made an attempt from near the centre line over advancing MPC goalkeeper Mukunda Thapa, but the ball went inches over the cross bar.

On Thursday, African United will take on Knight Chess Club.