Planning Boys were eliminated from the tournament after losing to visiting team Abha FC of Uzbekistan in the 25th Aha-Rara Pokhara Gold Cup underway in Pokhara.
What you should know
The winning team of the Budhasubba Gold Cup, Planning Boys United, was defeated in the quarterfinals of the Aha-Rara Pokhara Gold Cup.
Planning Boys were eliminated from the tournament after losing to Uzbekistan's Ava FC in the 25th Aha-Rara Pokhara Gold Cup.
Ava FC has booked its place in the semi-finals by beating 'A' Division team Planning Boys United 1-0 in the last quarter-final match held at the Pokhara Stadium on Tuesday.
The first half of the competitive match ended in a goalless draw. Both teams created some beautiful chances but failed to finish. However, Ava FC's Umidjon Karilov scored in the 56th minute of the match to give the team the lead. Umidjon's powerful shot was blocked by Planning Boys' goalkeeper Yogesh Dhimal, but the ball hit the net. The goal proved to be the decisive one in the match.
Towards the end of the match, Planning Boys created a lot of pressure for an equalizer. In the 89th minute, Ram Babukumar Shah's shot was unsuccessful, and in the injury time, Abha goalkeeper Jasurbark Rajabov made an excellent save from Faguram Tharu's free-kick, averting the team's crisis.
Uzbek player Umidjon, who played an important role in the team's victory, was declared the 'Player of the Match' of the game. He received Rs 10,000 along with a trophy. Earlier, Planning Boys had defeated Friends Club in the pre-quarters and entered the quarterfinals.
With Abha FC's victory, the quarterfinal equation of the tournament is complete. Now, in the first semi-final match to be held on Wednesday, the home team Sahara Club Pokhara and Manang Marshyandi Club will compete.
