Tirtha Basnet, Laxman Ruchal and Jimmy scored a goal each for Dharan that will face Tribhuvan Army Club in the semifinal.
Although Dharan dominated the game from the beginning, it had to wait till the 59th minute to end the deadlock with Tirtha scoring the opening goal. Tirtha converted off Milan Rai's cross.
Laxman doubled the advantage in the 75th minute scoring from inside the box off Bartaman Rai's cross.
Jimmy secured Dharan's convincing win netting in the 84th minute off Hemant Thapa Magar's back pass.
Dharan's Bartaman received the man-of-the-match award.
Elated with the victory, Dharan coach Subash KC said that his side won the match comfortably as his players gave their best performance.
KC hoped that the semifinal encounter against Army will be competitive one this time.
KC hoped that the semifinal encounter against Army will be competitive one this time. Last time Dharan faced Army in the Aaha Rara Gold Cup two years ago and won the match 2-0.
"We defeated Army two years ago and we are facing the team once again. So, hopefully the match will be competitive one this time as well," said KC.
Dharan could have taken the lead in the first half when Laxman's shot from nearly 30 yards went inches out of the post in the 18th minute. Similarly, Bartaman was denied by FAO Academy goalie Soumiya Das in the 49th minute.
FAO Academy also wasted few goal scoring chances as Sasikanta Sandil was denied by Dharan goalie Binaya Shrestha.
Despite the defeat, FAO Academy coach SK Manjur expressed happiness for getting chance to play in Pokhara and his side, having mostly young players, played its best game.
“We had players aged between 18 to 20 years and displayed best game. I am happy with the way they played,” said Manjur.
Meanwhile, Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi will face APF on Wednesday.
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