Mechninagar: Rolling Club Surges Into the Finals of the 8th Rolling Challenge Cup with a Commanding Win Over Samrat Sporting.

In a nail-biting first semi-final match of the 8th Rolling Challenge Cup International Invitational, the home team, Rolling Club, defeated Samrat Sporting Club, Biratnagar, 3-1 to win a spot in the final and defend at least the runner-up position. The match was held at Dhulabari MaBi, where Rolling earned composure and clinical finishing to edge out Samrat in the high-stakes contest.

Early in the match, hosts Rolling got off to a flying start, as Rohan Karki’s goal in the 15th minute gave them an early lead. Dorje Tamang drew level in the 32nd minute from the spot following an infringement by Rolling goalkeeper Abhishek Baral on a Samrat player in the box.

Just four minutes later, Rolling Club was ahead again. Abhishek Gurung capitalised on the ensuing gaffe by Samrat’s goalkeeper Nishan Magar, set up by national team player Ananta Tamang, to make it 2-1. The hosts made it 3-1 in the second half when Utsav Rai coolly slotted another penalty in the 59th minute, awarded after Samrat’s Niraj Basnet brought down Rai inside the box.

The victory leaves Rolling Club to contest the title in the finals, scheduled for Kartik 10. Prashant Laksham, a key performer throughout the match for Rolling, won the Player of the Match title, receiving NPR 5,000 in cash and a trophy from Social Development Officer Anant Prakash Wasti, accompanied by club officials.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s second semi-final, Manebhanjyang Football Club of Darjeeling will take on Redhorse FC from Ilam. The winner will go into an electrifying final against Rolling Club. As confirmed by the organiser, the champion will earn NPR 300,000, while the runners-up will walk away with NPR 150,000, a trophy, and medals.