The winner was decided through shootout following a goalless draw in the regulation and added 20 minutes time. [break]
Dhanmondi will now take on the winner among host Pokhara XI and United Sikkim Football Club to be played on Tuesday.
The Bangladeshi side converted all three initial spotkicks while RCT missed all of them. Prabesh Katuwal and Krishna Kunwar´s spotkick was denied by Dhanmondi custodian Aminul while RCT´s African recruit Ntolo Ngoumou shot off the target. Yoko, Kester and Komol all converted for Dhanmondi.
Earlier, RCT seemed to be lucky than the visitors after RCT goalie Dilip Chhetri denied Femi´s penalty taken three minutes before the end of additional 20 minute. Dhanmondi was awarded with the penalty after Niraj Remi Magar of RCT took down Kester in the box. Remi Magar was given marching order by referee Laba Khatri for his offense.
This is the first appearance of Dhanmondi in Nepal after participating in the Budhasubba Gold Cup at Dharan in 2057 BS. On the occasion, Dhanmondi had lifted the title defeating Nepal Police Club in the final.
Dhanmondi which have come up with seven foreigner players, most of them African, took the match under control from the early moments and created frequent chances. In the 35th minute, Katuwal cleared a corner taken by Dhanmondi and four minutes later goalie Chhetri punched Dhanmondi´s strike. Five minutes later, Moraison wasted a one-on-one chance with goalie Chhetri.
The visiting side intensified the attacks in the second half. The first minute after interval saw RCT goalie making a quick punch to deny Dhanmondi´s header.
Though RCT could not create much scoring opportunities, the team put up artistic show. Davu Nkang feeble attempt in the 38th minute could not achieve target and Alexis Likeng hit wide in the 50th minutes. Katuwal hit wide during the fading moments.
RCT coach Baijunath Kapali commented that his side faced defeat due to lack of skilful and experienced players in the squad. "The opponents were physically stronger and we were under immense pressure during the second half," Kapali said.
Dhanmondi´s coach Saifulbari Titu said that his side was prepared for a sure win in Pokhara.
"Though we had expected an easy win, the match had to be settled in tiebreaker," Titu said, adding, "Despite winning, I am not satisfied with the performance."
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