Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Organizers, Sahara Club Pokhara, have advanced to the final of the 25th edition of the Aaha-Rara Pokhara Gold Cup.
In the first semifinal played at the Pokhara Stadium on Wednesday, Sahara defeated Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) 7–6 in sudden death to book their place in the final.
The match went to the penalty shootout after both regulation and extra time failed to separate the two sides.
Both teams scored their first six penalty kicks. Vicky Chamling Rai, Ashish Gurung, Mukunda Kumar Newar, Shisesh Thapa, Binay Tamang, and Prashant Shrestha scored for Sahara, while Ashish Shrestha, Gideon Naah, Ronish Rajbahak, Dipesh Gurung, Gyan Bahadur Pulami, and Nawaraj Gurung scored from the spot for MMC.
Sahara goalkeeper Tikendra Thapa saved MMC’s seventh penalty taken by Captain Sabin Khadka. Captain Sushil Lama then scored for Sahara to take his team to the final.
The result means six-time champions MMC have been eliminated from the tournament. Sahara, who has lifted the title only once, has now got the opportunity to lift the second title.
Sahara Coach Sunil Rana Magar said that although his players performed well in the semifinal, poor finishing forced the match into a penalty shootout.
MMC Coach Anil Tamang said his side’s inability to convert opportunities led to their semifinal exit.
The second semifinal will be held on Thursday between Jawalakhel Youth Club and Uzbekistan’s AVA Football Club.
The final will be played on Saturday. The winning side will take home Rs 1.4 million, while the runners-up will receive Rs 700,000.
