Chun Bahadur Thapa and Hari Mahato scored one goal apiece during the second half to steer the departmental team to the final.[break]
Army will now meet the winner of the second semifinal match to be played between host Pokhara XI and Seikh Jamal Dhanomod Club of Bangldesh to be played on Thursday for the title.
In the Martyrs Memorial A Division League held few months earlier in the capital Shepra had defeated Army 2-1.
Veteran Thapa opened the scoring in the 64th minute through a header near from the box utilizing a freekick of Hiranya Magar. Similarly, Mahato ensured the victory for the departmental team in the 73rd minute beating goalie Rupak Shrestha in one-on-one position after dribbling around Man Bahadur Tamang in an acute pass of Santosh Nepali.
Despite Army dominating the match from the beginning, the first half remained barren. Army intensified the attacks from the beginning and made first impressive attacks in the ninth minute when Bikarna Shrestha´s strike from the box was denied by Sherpa goalie Rupak Shrestha. Similarly, Sherpa´s Som Bahadur Malla cleared scorer Thapa´s header off Tanka Basnet´s corner.
Sherpa´s 23rd minute strike from Amir Shrestha was denied by army custodian Gangaram Deuja and 76th minute shot from Jangbu Sherpa from 25-yard sailed inches above the bar.
Sherpa´s coach Kiran Shrestha said that his side got defeated after the played failed to utilize scoring opportunities. "Army played were physically strong than us and the boys also failed to utilize scoring opportunities," Shrestha said adding, "the played became more nervous conceding the first goal."
Shrestha also pointed out the absence of skipper Nabin Neupane also as the cause of defeat. Neupane is in training of of AFC B license course. "The team was studded with junior players and there was need of some experienced players like Neupane."
Army´s coach Yogamber Suwal said that his side came under pressure after the team failed to achieve its target of scoring goal within first 20 minute of the match. "The opponent was also a good side. Our target was to score in initial 20 minutes" Suwal said who also stressed the need on better performance in the final for winning the title.
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