After the regular and the extra time ended in a goalless draw, the match was taken to penalty shoot-out. Rajesh Shahi, Buddha Lama and Khum Gurung scored a goal each for Sahara while Amir Shrestha was the only scorer for APF in the penalty shoot-out. Sahara Club´s custodian Dangol saved APF´s three spot-kicks.[break]
Dangol saved the penalty of Jeevan Sinkeman, Sagar Luitel and Noor Raj Kafle. Dangol was later adjudged man of the match for his brilliant performance under the bar. Sahara will next meet the sixth-edition winner Manang Marshyangdi Club in the quarterfinals.
After the loss, APF coach Dil Kaji Thapa admitted that the team´s performance was not up to the mark. “Overconfidence of the players cost us the match and Sahara played well,” he said.
Sahara´s Khum Gurung´s 19th minute shot went wide while Binod Gurung couldn´t convert the header from Buddha Lama´s pass. Sahara goalie Dangol saved a number of shots from APF players even in the regulation time.
Dangol saved Santosh Shrestha´s powerful strike in the first half and also in the dying minutes of the second half. APF squandered yet another chance with Arjun Subba failing to head the ball after it rebounded when Rajin Dhimal´s shot hit the cross bar.
APF keeper Samit Rajbhandari punched Puspa Chhetri´s strike in the 70th minute denying Sahara another score. Rajbhandari, who stood like a wall in the APF post trying to save a shot from Bijay Shahi, sustained injury, and was later rushed to the hospital.
Commenting the game after the win, Sahara coach Kiran Shrestha, said APF are a strong team but his players too put up a good performance. “Luck also favored us. Another reason for our victory was the keeper´s good judgment during the penalty shoot-out,” he added.
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