Karna Limbu struck a hat-trick to steer Jhapa XI into the quarter-finals of the 15th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup football tournament with a 4-1 rout of ANA (Association of the Nepalis in the Americas) USA on Thursday.

Limbu scored in the 24th, 30th and 90th minute while Buddha Chemjong added another goal in the 85th minute. Substitute Sishir Bishwokarma pulled one back in the 85th minute for the visiting ANA, who fielded former national team stalwart Pralay Rajbhandari.

Limbu headed home in the 24th minute to give Jhapa the lead before the striker doubled the lead six minutes later, converting a pass from Rajin Dhimal. The scorer then turned provider as Limbu set the ball up for Chemjong to score the third goal for Jhapa.

ANA pulled a goal back through Bishwokarma, who scored seven minutes after replacing Rajbhandari in the 79th minute. But man-of-the-match Limbu scored again in the 90th minute as the striker capitalised on a pass from Dilen Loktan to complete his hat-trick. 

Jhapa will take on Tribhuvan Army Club in the quarter-final match on Monday. It is the fourth time that Jhapa are taking part in the annual tournament organised by Sahara Club of Pokhara. Their best run in the tournament so far has been the semi-final appearance last year where they lost 4-0 against Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC). 

Despite the victory, Jhapa coach Sanjay Rai was a disappointed man. “We should have scored lot of goals. Due to the lack of proper coordination, we squandered a lot of chances,” said Rai.  ANA coach Suraj Thapa said that his team failed to come up with their true colours. “Our assembled squad could not gel as a team and suffered the defeat,” said Thapa.

Sankata Club will take on Nepal Police Club on Friday.