A day after defeating Nepal Police Club (NPC) in the title decider of the Tilottama Gold Cup football tournament in Butwal, Dauphins Family of Cameroon overcome the same opponent 2-1 in the extra time to enter the semi-finals of the 17th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup football tournament in Pokhara on Tuesday.

Dauphins, deemed unauthorised to play domestic football by the football governing body All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), had defeated the departmental team in sudden death penalty shootout in Butwal on Monday. They have so far claimed three back-to-back titles including Pokhara Gold Cup on February 10 and Budha Subba Gold Cup in Dharan on February 16. Dauphins will meet Tribhuvan Army Club in their next match for a place in the final.

Dauphins had taken the first half lead through Biyik Biyik Andre Thierry before defender Suman Subedi equalised in the fading moments of the game to ignite hope that the departmental team avenge two previous defeats. But the physically superior Dauphins sealed victory through Yannick Owona goal in the fourth minute of the 20 minutes of extra time. NPC had also suffered a semi-final defeat against the same opponent in Budha Subba Gold Cup.  

NPC could have taken lead in the 26th minute but defender Subedi ended up heading wide in Man Bahadur Pariyar’s freekick. Man Bahadur Tamang wasted another chance for the departmental outfits in the 34th when he flicked off target. Dauphins took lead in the 37th minute after they were awarded second corner in the span of two minutes. Andre Thierry had all the time to chest-control Ahanda Essah Aloys corner before making a cool finish.   

NPC hit back in the second half stoppage time to inject life in the match. Subedi headed home a Suman Lama freekick from the crowded zone to extend the match to extra time. Dauphins restored their one-goal cushion four minutes into the extra time through Owona. The extra time also saw NPC play with a man-down as Hari Kathayat was sent off for a straight red card, the first of the tournament. Andre Thierry was declared man-of-the-match and won Rs 5,000.

The first semi-final match will see Three Star Club in action against Nepal Armed Police Force Club on Wednesday before Dauphins Family will take on Tribhuvan Army Club the very next day.