After both teams failed to break the deadlock in 120 minutes, Sahara custodian Sagar Gurung proved to be the hero in the shootout as he denied league leading scorer Karna Limbu and Ajay BK before guiding the ball into the back of the net from the spot. The hosts will now take on  the winners of the second semi-final match between newly crowned league champions Manang Marshyangdi Club and Nepal Police Club for the title on Saturday.

 “The players showed great character to restrict a strong side like MFC throughout the game and kept their nerves in an intense shootout. I am sure the players are now looking forward to the final regardless of who we play against,” said Sahara coach Kiran Shrestha.

The hosts put up a resolute display as MFC, who finished only a point behind MFC in the league, struggled to create scoring opportunities as Sahara custodian Gurung was only called into action when he comfortably held a long range Nico freekick in the 21st minute in what was a cagey first-half. At the other end, MFC shot-stopper Dinesh Thapa Magar parred away Anil Ojha’s drilled effort in the 58th minute.

Ashim Jung Karki, Bhupal Gurung and Subin Shrestha all scored for Sahara from the spot but it was their goalkeeper Gurung who proved to be the hero after he blocked Limbu and BK’s spot-kicks before producing the winning kick himself. “This is a massive result for us as we managed to eliminate the team  who finished second in the league. I hope the players can play with the same determination in the final,” added Sahara coach Shrestha.

MFC coach Johan Kalin expressed great disappointment over his side’s lack of creativity throughout the game. “They were very solid defensively. But having said that, I thought we lacked creativity to penetrate their defence,” stated Kalin.