LAHORE, Sept 27: A last-minute minute goal by captain Ramesh Budhathoki enabled Mahendra Police Club of Nepal to reach the final of the 3rd AFC Cup football after a stunning 2-1 triumph against hot favourite Regar Tadaz at the Punjab Stadium on Thursday night.

With the victory, Mahendra Club became the first-ever South Asian team to enter the final of AFC President’s Cup. The hero of Mahendra was their skipper Ramesh who fired the winner when fourth official from Myanmar Cho Win had already signalled three-minutes injury time. Ramesh collected a pass from the central-defender Rakesh Shrestha and drove the ball past lanky keeper Alisher Dodov’s right hand.

Regar started the match without star midfielder Ibraguim Rabimov who was suspended following two yellow cards in the previous matches. On the other hand, Mahendra had to start without their reliable midfielder Parbat Pandey who was declared unfit.

Both the teams opened the match in defensive style and the first real scoring chance came in the 11th minute when midfielder Maruf Rustamov saw his drive going over the bar. Five minutes later, Mahendra got a real big chance when Referee Minh Tri VO ( Vietnam) penalized Regar’s keeper Alisher Dodov for taking too much time in releasing the ball. But striker Ju Manu Rai wasted an indirect free-kick.

Regar drew the first blood in 26th minute through Maruf Rustamov, who received an angular pass from midfielder Umarbaev and steered it past Ritesh with forceful drive into the net for 1-0 lead. Minutes later, Mahendra’s Ju Manu Rai sliced the ball into net but he was ruled off-side.

Regar’s slim lead lived short as Mahendra drew level in the 32nd minute. Midfielder Anant Raj Thapa curled the ball from left wing and striker Ju Manu Rai hammered the ball past Dodov’s right hand to make it 1-1. The rivals went for the breather soon afterwards.

Both the side continued to miss scoring chances in the second half as well with nerves of their attackers obviously showing in the danger area before Ramesh struck the winner.