Tirtha Basnet netted the all-important goal for the visiting team in the 73rd minute. Tirtha sprinted the ball from the middle of the ground and beat Bimal Basnet of Pokhara before netting the ball into the far post in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.Dharan will next face Delhi United in the quarterfinal.
Pokhara was forced to pay for repeated mistakes committed from the early stage of the match. Rakesh Gurung wasted an early scoring chance in the 19th minute while Laxman Ruchal of Dharan made goal-line clearance in the 41st minute to deny Sunil BK's header. Rakesh's strike two minutes after the break rebounded off the post.
Pokhara coach Ishwar Gurung said that his team was defeated after failing to utilize scoring chances. "We wasted numerous scoring chances. We could have scored in the first half as well, but the boys failed," Gurung lamented.
Dharan coach Suhash KC said that his side was able to win after improved show in the second half. "We started the second half on defensive note and changed to offensive style nearly for 15 minutes. It paid for us," he said.
Tribhuvan Army Club will take on Saraswati Club on Friday.
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