Three Star Club defeated Nawa Jana Jagriti Youth Club 2-0 to enter the semi-final of the Khaptad Gold Cup in Dhangadhi on Wednesday.

Sanjog Rai and Aashish Rai scored in the second-half of the match to steer Three Star into the last four.

The two sides played a goalless first half with both wasting multiple opportunities to take the lead. Aashish blasted his shot wide off the bar in the 22nd minute after receiving a pass from Ashok Khawas. Four minutes later, Jana Jagriti Club failed to convert after a brilliant counter attacking move. A shot by Kripo Chaudhary was eventually palmed away by Three Star goalie Kiran Chemjong. Three Star's Sushil Rai also shot straight to the opposite goalkeeper Dilmani Chaudhary four minutes from half time.

After a goalless first half, Three Star romped up pressure on Simara side in the second half looking for a breakthrough. It finally paid dividends in the 80th minute when Nishan Khadka's cross found Sanjog who headed from inside the box to help Three Star take the lead. Less than two minutes later, Nishan again fed Aashish to double the lead.

Three Star's coach Meghraj KC said his squad were unable to perform as expected due to an exhausting 26-hour bus ride to Dhangadhi form Jhapa, where they took part in the Satakshi Gold Cup.

"Our midfield could not create chances for forwards, our performance was below par," said KC. KC also lauded the performance by Jana Jagriti's youth squad. "We expect to improve our performance in the coming matches, but their youthful squad put on a good fight," he added.

The winning team’s skipper Bikram Lama was adjudged Player of the Match and won Rs 10,000 in cash prize.

Three Star now play the winner of the match between Himalayan Sherpa and Gorkha Boys in the semi-final. Organiser Sudurpaschim XI have already secured their berth in the semis by defeating Kanchanjunga FC of India in the first quarter-final on Tuesday.

The third quarter-final match scheduled for Thursday will be a departmental derby between defending champions Nepal Police Club and Nepal Armed Police Force Club.