Gorkha Boys of Rupandehi edged Sunaulo Sangam Club of the same district 5-3 to enter the quarter-finals of the Sudur Paschim Khaptad Gold Cup football tournament, in Dhangadhi on Monday.

The match was decided on penalties after the regulation 90-minute ended without a goal being scored. Sunaulo Sangam were forced to make an early exit from the tournament after skipper Mohan Basnet was denied by Gorkha Boys custodian Manoj Gurung in the tie-breaker.

Gorkha Boys' Hari Kathayat, Anish Tamang, Randip Paudel, Nishan Neupane and skipper Uttam Gurung converted from the spot. While Sunaulo Sangam's Ranjit Thapa, Ajeet Thapa and Shankar Neupane hit the back of the net, skipper Basnet missed.

Gorkha Boys will now take on 'A' Division outfits Himalayan Sherpa Club in the quarter-finals.

Gorkha Boys wasted a scoring opportunity in the third minute when Suraj Ghalan fired inches wide from close range. In the 19th, Sunaulo Sangam skipper Basnet’s strike was easily gripped by goalie Gurung.

Gorkha Boys thought they broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half when Hari Kathayat's strike beat goalie Kiran Thapa, but it rebounded off the woodwork. A 57th-minute scorcher from Sunaulo Sangam’s Basnet was also stopped by the crossbar.

Gorkha Boys yet again missed scoring in the 59th after Kathayat's header sailed inches wide of an open net. Goalkeeper Basnet was declared the man-of-the-match and collected a cash prize of Rs10,000.

Sunaulo Sangam's coach Bikash Gurung said that his side failed to play at their best because they were exhausted due to overnight travel from Rupandehi.

The quarter-final of the tournament will begin from Tuesday with Kanchanjunga FC of India taking on hosts Sudur Paschim XI.

Apart from Kanchanjunga and Gorkha Boys, Nawa Jana Jagriti Club of Simara and Nepal Armed Police Force Club have already made it to the quarters. Himalayan Sherpa, defending champions Nepal Police Club, Three Star and host Sudur Paschim XI received byes from their opponents to secure their places in the last eight.

Manang thump Sunsari to enter semi-finals

Manang Marshyangdi thumped Belbari Football Club 4-0 to secure a semi-final berth in the Budhasubba Gold Cup football tournament in Dharan, on Monday. Nishan Limbu and Bimal Rana scored in the first half for Manang who headed into the break with a two-goal cushion.

Dayananda Singh made it 3-0 for the top tier side six minutes into the restart and added his second of the match to wrap up a convincing win. Singh was declared man of the match and won a purse of Rs 15,000. 

Manang will take on United Kharsang Football Club of India in their semi-final fixture on Wednesday. Martyrs’ Memorial 'A' Division League champions Machhindra Club take the field on Tuesday. (SB)