Pokhara, January 7:

Chetan Ghimire’s solitary goal guided Nepal Police Club (NPC) into the semi-finals of the sixth Aaha Gold Cup Football Tournament with a 1-0 win over the defending champions Nabil Three Star Club here at the Pokhara Stadium today.

Ghimire, who was left unmarked in the danger zone, headed home the winner in the 22nd minute following a right wing cross from Bhola Silwal. The police club, which made it to quarter-finals with a win over Dharan Football Club, dominated the game and creating most of the chances.

In contrast, Three Star succumbed to the psychological pressure over the five-time finalists here in Pohkara. Three Star have rarely beaten the departmental team in any tournaments so far. The Police club have entered the final every time they have taken part in the tournament. NPC opted out of the Pokhara event last year due to impending President’s Cup.

However, the Lalitpur-based team had a wonderful chance to equalise in the 88th minute but striker Santosh Sahukhala wasted the opportunity. With only NPC goalie Ritesh Thapa to beat Sahukhala shot wide from 12 yards. Thapa was later named the man of the match. NPC next play hosts Sahara Club on January 9.

Earlier, Anjan KC almost put Three Star ahead in the eighth minute but NPC custodian Thapa safely gathered the ball. NPC almost doubled their tally in the 47th but Three Star goalie Kiran Chemjong denied Ramesh Budhathoki. NPC had yet another chance when Suman Subedi’s strike was cleared from goal line by Vishan Gauchan in the 56th.

Sahara UK will meet NIB Friends Club on Tuesday.

Sahara Club get Rs 500,000 donation

POKHARA: Sahara Club of Pokhara was granted Rs 500,000 to help build football ground here today. Muchhindra Gurung, a Nepali living in London, donated the amount to the club to help build their own ground in Dabilla. Navin Gurung, also a Nepali living in London, handed over Rs 70,000 worth of Jersy to president of Sahara Club Bikram Thakali. “It will be our official jersey from now on,” said Thakali. Shera Gurung also handed over president Thakali

football kits on the programme organised to welcome the Sahara UK. The Club had recently bought 26-ropani land to build the football ground as well as other facilities for the orphan children. “We have already invested around Rs 300,000 in preparation for the ground,” said Thakali. — HNS