Three Star Club defeated Nepal APF Club 4-2 on penalties to enter Aaha-Rara Gold Cup football tournament final in Pokhara on Wednesday.

The outcome was decided directly from the spot kick on mutual consent of the participating teams after regulation time ended in a goalless deadlock. APF, who lost the Pokhara Cup final against Dauphins Family at the same venue two weeks earlier, stumbled in the penalty shootout.

Ranjit Dhimal, Sunil Bal, Rupesh KC and Ananta Tamang converted from the spot, while Buddha Raj Limbu missed out for Three Star. Only Ranjit Dhamala and Santosh Katuwal utilised their shots for APF.

Both sides failed to perform to the expectations in the slippery playing surface caused by rain. In the 14th minute, Three Star’s foreign recruit Ajayi Martins failed to connect a Sunil Bal cross in the danger zone. APF goalkeeper Amrit Chaudhary also denied Rupesh KC.

APF came up with an improved show in the second half and produced a real threat during an hour mark forcing Three Star goalie Alan Neupane to punch out Ashis Tamang strike in a Pradip Lama corner. Three Star, winners of the fifth, 11th and 13th editions of the tournament, lost to Nepal Police Club in the final last year.

Three Star, who clinched Simara Gold Cup this season, will meet the winners of Thursday’s semi-final match between Tribhuvan Army Club Dauphins. The final will be played on Saturday.