7th Aaha Gold Cup: Army set up battle with NPC

POKHARA, Feb 5 - Army Club reached the final for the first time in the Seventh Aaha Gold Cup here on Thursday. Army, who had not gone past the semi-final in previous editions of the tournament, ended Sahara UK's challenge 4-0 to reach the final.

Army will now face Nepal Police in the final on Saturday. Police had beaten Belghariya Sporting Club, Kolkata 1-0 in the semi-final on Wednesday. Santosh Nepali, Raju Tamang, Bikarna Shrestha and Chakran Tamang scored a goal each for the winning team.

Army edged past Sahara UK's defence in the 40th minute. Santosh scored the first goal when he headed the pass from Shiva Chaudhary, giving Sahara UK's keeper Dilip Chettri no chance whatsoever to save the shot.

A minute later Army extended their lead to 2-0 when Chettri once again failed to gather the ball. Raju Tamang had shot from the D-Box. The third goal came from man-of-the-match Shrestha in the 75th minute.

Even though Sahara UK, a mixture of local and foreign players, exerted considerable pressure over Army in the initial states, they themselves came under tremendous pressure after being at the receiving end of three goals.

Chakra Tamang scored the final goal in the 78th minute. He converted substitute Surendra Chaudhary's pass into goal by flicking the ball when the keeper surged ahead leaving the post unguarded.

Despite creating a few opportunities Sahara failed to open their account, missing even a penalty. Army keeper Bikash Malla saved the penalty by Kunjan Gurung in the 61st minute.