Khawas opened the scoring in the 69th minute after the break following a barren first half. Skipper Jumanu Rai added another during the dying moments to seal their victory to send the visitors home.[break]
Police will now take on Three Star Club on Thursday to determine their fate for final.
Khawas, signed by the Police on Friday, also had a sound combination with striker Rai who hit the opener in Rai´s pass. Rai added another two minutes from time through a powerful 25-yard strike to ensure the victory for the departmental giants, the most successful team of the Aaha Gold Cup who has lifted the trophy for a record five times.
Police have participated in all editions of th etournament other than the fifth and every time they have made it to the final.
Police dominated the match from the beginning and created some chances. Rai failed to score twice in the first half while Khawas also missed one.
Sahara played defensive from the beginning and could create very few chances, but all in vain. Police defender Deependra Paudel cleared Saiman Wilami´s strike from box. James Myan of Sahara was declared man-of-the-match.
(Photo: Ram Gurung)
Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha said they had to wait until the second half to ensure victory after his side failed to utilize chances during the first half. "The boys failed to hold ball and they were unable to play as per the stratergy."
Sahara manager Lalkaji Gurung said that they were defeated due to poor teamwork. "We have made the team after gathering scattered players around different places in UK and the players of the team also change every year. The ground and atmosphere of Pokhara is also very different from that of UK," Gurung said.
On Wednesday, the hosts Sahara Club, Pokhara will lock horns against Manang Marshyangdi Club in the first semifinal of the tournament.
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