Pukar Gahatraj scored both the goals as the Hong Kong-based team pulled off an upset win over three-time champion Police. Gahatraj scored in the 12th and 73rd minutes of the match.[break]
Kelvin provided a pass to Gahatraj near the area and the latter struck home to put his side ahead early in the first half.
Parbat Pandey scored from the spot to level the scores in the 63rd minute of the match. Referee Laba Khatri had awarded a penalty to Police after Suraj BK was brought down in the danger area by an HKNF defender.
However, Gahatraj scored the winner 10 minutes later for HKNF. Capitalizing on a sloppy clearance of Dodoz´s shot by a Police defender, Gahatraj scored on the rebound to make it 2-1 for HKNF. Gahatraj was adjudged the man-of-the-match and awarded Rs 5,000.
HKNF will take on Martyrs Memorial League champion Three Star in the semifinal on Thursday.
"We won the match though we lacked coordination," said Narad Rai, the coach of the winning side.
Dodoz missed a couple of chances for HKNF in the first half, including a one-on-one with Police goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa.
Yogesh Shrestha of Police missed a chance in the ninth minute and HKNF goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu blocked a shot from Suman Subedi later in the match.
Police coach Hari Khadka said his boys failed to put up teamwork and coordinated effort.
The host Dharan Football Club will take on Nepal Army on Wednesday in the first semifinal of the tournament.
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