By Bootballer Desk • Football • Mar 10, 2025 14:51 PM • 152 views
KAKARVITTA, March 10 — Dharan FC booked their place in the semi-finals of the Mechinagar Gold Cup after a dramatic 5-3 victory over Uzbekistan's Black Bulls FC in a penalty shootout on Monday. The quarter-final clash at the Kakarvitta Ground ended 1-1 in regulation time.
This marked the second consecutive match in the tournament to be decided via penalties. A day earlier, Church Boys United edged past Jhapa FC in a sudden-death shootout to advance.
Dharan's substitute goalkeeper, Bipul Magar, emerged as the match-winner, making a crucial save from Asiwek Arifjonov's opening spot-kick for the Black Bulls. Head coach Hemkumar Gurung's tactical decision to bring Bipul on for Prabin Limbu ahead of the shootout proved decisive.
All five Dharan players — Milan Rai, Suraj Rasaili, Prajwal Thapa, Ajay Bista, and Sugam Jimi — converted their penalties with composure. For the Black Bulls, Khusan Ganijanov, Azizbek Khursinbov, and Kuvenchbek Olimov found the net, but the early miss proved costly.
Earlier in regular time, the Black Bulls had taken the lead in the 59th minute through Arifjonov, who nodded home a pinpoint cross from Islamjon Abdukodirov inside the six-yard box. However, Dharan equalized late in the 83rd minute, courtesy of substitute Sugam Jimmy, who capitalized on a low cross from Suraj Rasaili to force the game into penalties.
Despite creating several chances, Dharan — captained by Milan Rai and featuring key players like Bikram Dhimal, Tapan Karki, Roman Limbu, and Mausam Subba — struggled to convert opportunities during open play.
Black Bulls FC, winners of the prestigious Aaha Rara Gold Cup, had bolstered their squad with Nepali talents such as Sanzio Limbu, Sujat Dangol, and Samipya Subedi. The Uzbek side entered the Mechinagar Gold Cup after an early exit in the KP Oli Cup.
Dharan will now face tournament hosts Kakarvitta Football Training Center in the semi-final on Falgun 28. Kakarvitta secured their spot after defeating India's Georgian FC 4-2 in another entertaining quarter-final encounter.
Meanwhile, Tuesday's fixture will see a high-profile clash between Martyrs' Memorial 'A' Division League champions Machhindra FC and departmental outfit APF Football Club.
The fifth edition of the Mechinagar Gold Cup, supported technically by the Jhapa District Football Association and Mechinagar Sports Development Committee, offers a lucrative prize purse—the winners will take home Rs 1 million, while the runners-up will receive Rs 500,000.
Hotel Mechi Crown is the tournament's title sponsor. Individual accolades include Rs 51,000 for the Best Player of the Tournament, Rs 25,000 for the Top Scorer, and Rs 21,000 for the Best Goalkeeper and Coach. The Emerging Player will be awarded Rs 15,000, while each 'Player of the Match' earns Rs 11,000.
