By a Staff Reporter
Pokhara – Sankata Club sidelined defending champions Armed Police Force FC (APF) to book their spot in the finale of the 22nd Aaha! Rara Pokhara Gold Cup.
Cameroonian duo Messouke Oloumou and Stephane Samir Binong netted twice as Sankata registered a 4-1 victory in a one-sided semifinal here at Pokhara Rangashala. Hari Karki scored a consolation for APF.
Stephane broke the deadlock 5 minutes after the kickoff. Stephane snatched the ball from APF’s defender Dipesh Dhimal and directed the ball into the net in the first touch.
Salyan Khadgi’s side doubled their lead in the 42nd minute. Messouke received Stephane’s through ball in the left side of the box and calmly found the net.
Sankata, who were leading 2-0 before going into the break, added 2 more and conceded 1 after. Stephane Binong scored his brace and the team’s third in the 63rd minute of the match. Andre Thiery Biyik threw the ball inside the box from Sankata’s half and Stephane made no mistake in a one-vs-one situation. Stephane, who scored 2 and assisted 1 was later named Player of the Match.
Hari Karki pulled one back for APF in the 73rd minute of the match. However, Messouke netted fourth in the 85th minute to book Sankata’s spot in the finale of the tournament.
Sankata now awaits the winner of the second semifinal match to vie in the finale. Bhutanese Youth SC, Minnesota will take on high-flying Church Boys United Football Club in the second semifinal on 5th January. The winners of the tournament will receive a cash prize of NRs. 1.2 million whereas runners-up will purse NRs. 6 Lakhs.
