By A Staff Reporter , Kathmandu, Apr. 4 : The late goal from Ashish Lama helped Armed Police Force (APF) into the semi-final of the 19th Aaha Rara Gold Cup after humiliating host Sahara Club Pokhara 1-0 at Pokhara Stadium, Kaski on Saturday.

Ashish Lama scored the match-winning goal in the 87th minutes. Lama scored an acute goal from the box in a fine pass off Pradeep Lama. The first half of the match between host Sahara and APF ended in a goalless draw. Ashish Lama was declared the Man of the match for his late match-winning goal against host Sahara.

Sahara Club of Pokhara has feted Nepal’s national football team member and striker Abhishek Rijal with Best Football Player of the Year 2077. Sahara Club also feted him with a cash Rs. 35,000. Footballer Rijal was the team member while Nepal won the gold medal in the 13th South Asian Games held at Kathmandu, Pokhara and Janakpur.

Altogether eight teams are vying for the title of one of the prestigious tournaments of the mofussil. 

Manang Marsyandgi Club (MMC), Nepal Police Club (NPC), Three Star Club (TSC), Armed Police Force (APF), Machhindra Football Club (MFC), Sankata Football Club, African Root Association Cameroon and Sahara Club, Pokhara are competing for the title worth of Rs. 1 million.

Machhindra Football Club of Kathmandu will encounter African Root Association Cameroon on Sunday.