A clinical performance in the second half helped Dharan FC ease to a 3-0 victory over visiting Football Association of Odisha (FA) of India in the Pokhara Cup football tournament here on Tuesday. 

At the Pokhara Stadium, Tirtha Basnet, Laxman Ruchal and African recruit Jimmy scored one goal each, after a goalless first half, to guide their side into the semi-finals of the tournament. Dharan will now take on departmental giants Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) for a place in the final.

Dharan created numerous chances in the first half but missed out on all occasions. They failed to score in the 16th, 22nd and 36th minutes. FAO were denied a goal into the half hour mark. The real game began for Dharan in the 59th minute when Ruchal fed Basnet inside the area and the midfielder made no mistake to put his side ahead.

The goal rejuvenated the local side and they kept piling more pressure and missed few scoring chances. But Ruchal made sure his side go 2-0 up when he utilised a cross from Bartaman Rai before firing home from the area in 76th minute. With FAO, who had replaced Delhi FC at the last moment of the tournament, already under pressure to come back with a two-goal deficit, Jimmy sealed the victory for Dharan converting his 30-yard shot into a sensational goal.

Second goal provider Rai was adjudged the man-of-the-match. Dharan are meeting TAC for the second time after stunning the departmental side 2-0 in the Aaha-Rara Gold Cup two years back. Dharan had made a first round exit last year after they succumbed to a 2-1 loss to Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club. They had entered the quarter-finals this edition defeating hosts Pokhara XI.

Dharan coach Subash KC said his side has a lot to do ahead of the last four clash. “Our boys wasted a lot of scoring chances in the first half but they recovered in the second. We have to come up with much improvement and proper strategy to pass the Army hurdle,” said KC. On Wednesday, Manang Marshyangdi Club will take on Nepal APF Club.'