Striker Karna Limbu slammed a hat-trick as Jhapa XI hammered 10-man Rupandehi-XI 4-0 to enter the final of the Mai Valley International Invitational Gold Cup football tournament here on Wednesday.

After a goalless first half, Nagendra Limbu opened the floodgates, scoring in the 53rd minute before Karna completed his treble in closing stages of the game. Jhapa will play the winners of Thursday’s second semi-final match between Tribhuvan Army Club and Nepal Armed Police Force Club.

Karna, who has been in a prime form at domestic tournaments lately, put Jhapa 2-0 up in the 54th minute before Rupandehi problems dug deeper by the dismissal of Bijay Dhimal, who was shown a direct red card for a dangerous tackle on midfielder Ganesh Khadka.

Rupandehi players were claiming an offside when Karna struck his first goal of the game. “It was clearly an offside and that put was under pressure. The game was all but over after one of our

players was sent off,” lamented Rupandehi captain Dilip Chhetri.

Jhapa kept piling pressure on Rupandehi and just as it appeared the match would end with the same scoreline, Karna began his carnage. The Jhapa striker scored in the 91st and 95th minute to inflict a humiliating defeat on Rupandehi. Karna was adjudged the man-of-the-match.

The goal margin could have been even bigger had Jhapa not missed out on several more scoring opportunities in the first half. Rupandehi, who came into the tournament assembling players from few top tier clubs, rarely had move that threatened Jhapa.

Jhapa coach Bhagirath Ale appreciated his boys for making a comeback in the game. “We squandered quite a few scoring chances in first half but boys came back strong in the second. They displayed a wonderful game,” said Ale.