Himal Press 
Photo: RSS
POKHARA: Six-time champions Nepal Police Club (NPC) have advanced to the final of the 24th Aha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup.
In the first semifinal played at Pokhara Stadium on Wednesday, the departmental side defeated Church Boys United 1-0. Sanjiv Lama scored the only goal of the match in the 58th minute when Church Boys goalkeeper Tikendra Thapa failed to judge Lama’s long shot. Lama capitalized on a misplaced pass from a Church Boys defender and unleashed a powerful shot from outside the D-box.
Although Church Boys pushed for an equalizer after conceding, NPC defended with grit to reach the final of Gandaki’s premier football tournament for a record 10th time. NPC last lifted the title in 2018, and this marks its first appearance in the final since 2020, when it was defeated by Manang Marshyangdi Club.
NPC progressed to the final with a 2-0 victory over Brigade Boys Club of the United Kingdom on Saturday. Church Boys, on the other hand, defeated Tribhuvan Army Club 1-0 on Monday.
NPC will now face the winner between five-time champion Three Star Club and FC Black Bulls of Uzbekistan in the final on February 15.
