Khawas scored the first hat-trick of the tournament against CFC which was reduced to 10 men in the 58th minute. [break]
Khawas scored in the 35th, 54th and 75th minutes to fix semifinal meeting with arch rival Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC). Khawas was adjudged the man-of-the-match.
Khawas displayed impressive skills to score the opening goal after controlling a long pass from Yogesh Shrestha and dribbled past two defenders before putting the ball at the back of the net.
Police lead could not last for long as CFC hit the equalizer two minutes later. Asel Dorje netted with a one-touch strike in Kidle Tenzing´s pass.
Khawas restored Police lead nine minute into second half utilizing a pass from skipper Jumanu Rai and ensured team´s victory in the 75th minute with his third goal.
Police, the four-time winner of Budhasubba Cup and the National League champion dominated the match and put the visitors under pressure.
Though Khawas put up a brilliant show, his teammate Jumanu Rai failed to live up to expectations and squandered nearly a dozen of scoring chances. Police could have scored in the 33rd minute had not Dipendra Paudel´s header off Yogesh Shrestha´s freekick hit the woodwork. Similarly, Bharat Shah´s strike rebounded off pole in the stoppage time.
Visiting side CFC had also created some scoring chances. In the very third minute Chi Bujo, African recruit failed to score after pounced on the ball dropped by Police goalie Ritesh Thapa.
CFC came under more pressure in the second half after its influential midfielder Peter was given the marching order for second bookable offence. He made a bad tackle against Khawas and was shown the second yellow card of the game.
Police is the winner of second, fourth, fifth and tenth edition of the tournament. CFC is the premier division club of Bhutan established a year earlier.
Nepal Police Club manager Hari Khadka said that he was confident of the victory. "We were confident of beating the visitors. We have taken MMC and Three Star Club as tough opponents," Khadka said adding, "We always lack coordination in the first match but will come up with better performance in the next match."
Khadka also defended skipper Rai´s lackluster performance. "Rai squandered numerous opportunities but such thing happens in football. It was a day of Khawas rather than Rai."
CFC coach Bikash Pradhan said that it was a great opportunity for his side to play against one of the best teams of Nepal. Pradhan however, blamed referee of awarding offside goal to Police. "The second goal our opponent scored was an offside and the goal changed the scenario of whole match as the score was 1-1," Pradhan said adding that his team faced more pressure after his midfielder was sent off.
A division outfit Yeti Airlines Himalayan Sherpa Club will take on Hong Kong Nepalese Football Team of Hong Kong on Tuesday.
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