Record six-time champions Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) defeated Tribhuvan Army FC 4-3 on penalties in the 20th Aaha Rara Gold Cup Football Tournament semi-final on Thursday to set up a title clash with APF FC in Pokhara.

MMC goalkeeper Ashok Baral denied Army’s fourth penalty taker Youddha Shahi's strike after the game headed into a tiebreaker following a 0-0 draw in the regulation period and an additional 30 minutes.

Army captain Bharat Khawas converted the first strike from spot before defender Deepak Gurung hit the woodwork when he stepped to take the second penalty. MMC's Cameroonian defender Franklin Kutte Tala converted the first shot from the spot but Bishow Adhikari's second strike cracked on the upright with scores tied at 1-1.

MMC's Shiva Gurung, Rupesh KC and Olawale Afeez converted the remaining three penalties while Army’s George Prince Karki converted the third and Bibek Basnet the fifth but defender Shahi missed the target taking the fourth shot.

MMC, who also confirmed the record 12th Aaha Rara final, were made to pay for their missed penalty as early as in the ninth minute as the stand-in skipper ended up shooting high above the post from the spot. MMC were awarded the penalty after Shahi handled the ball in his attempt to stop Nigerian forward Adelaja Somide's cross to compatriot Afeez inside the area.

Army could have scored in late first half before midfielder Basnet applied a feeble strike from the area and forward Karki's strike on the same ball was parried by MMC goalie Baral. The ball flew towards skipper Khawas and his header was off the target. Moments later Somide's header in Rajesh Pariyar's corner sailed inches above the bar.

Goalie Bikesh Kuthu came to the rescue of Army seven minutes into the restart as he made a long stretch dive to the right side to deny Afeez's strike as he found Pariyar's freekick which was not defended properly by Army players. Somide's header in Afeez's pass was again thwarted by goalie Kuthu before Sesehang Angdangbe cleared the danger.

Army coach Raju Tamang rued the missed opportunities. "It was a fifty-fifty game, but we faced defeat after failing to capitalise on scoring opportunities," said Tamang. "We have had weaknesses in the striking department for a long time. Some of the key players were also injured."

MMC's Nigerian coach Fuja Tope said that they faced a tough time to beat Army. "The game could have gone the other way, had we utilised the early penalty. But we fought until the last moment and finally won. The goalie played really well," he said.

The final against APF FC, who entered the final after 14 years and have yet to win the trophy, will be played on Saturday.