Pokhara, 13 February | Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) advanced to the quarterfinals of the 25th Aha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup after a hard-fought 2–1 victory over the departmental side Nepal APF Club at the Pokhara Stadium on Thursday. Despite trailing early in the match, the record six-time champions showcased a resilient performance in the second half to keep their title hopes alive. APF took an unexpected lead in the 11th minute through Yubaraj Rai, following a precise pass from Dishan Rai. However, MMC intensified their offensive maneuvers after the break, eventually equalizing in the 57th minute when Ronish Dheke Rajbahak found the back of the net, capitalizing on a loose ball inside the penalty area.
The decisive moment of the match arrived in the 77th minute when Suresh Kumal’s clinical header, assisted by Ashish Shrestha’s long-range throw-in, sealed the win for Manang. Ronish Dheke Rajbahak was honored as the ‘Man of the Match’ for his pivotal role in the victory. MMC is now scheduled to face India’s Thunderbolt United in the quarterfinals. Organized by Sahara Club Pokhara to celebrate its silver jubilee, the tournament features twelve teams competing for a top prize of Rs 1.4 million. While MMC progresses, APF joins Gorkha International Hong Kong as the teams eliminated from Group ‘A’. The competition continues to draw significant crowds, with the final showdown slated for February 21 (Falgun 9).
