Hosts Jhapa XI eased to a 4-0 victory over Himalayan Sherpa Club to enter the final of the Jhapa Gold Cup here on Friday. 

To the delight of local fans at the Domalal Stadium, prolific scorer Karna Limbu struck twice, while Buddha Chemjong and Khamir Gilson Kandangwa added one each. Jhapa will now take on the winners of Saturday’s second semi-final match between Manang Marshyangdi Club and Tribhuvan Army Club in the final. Jhapa dominated the game from the start and they went ahead in the 27th minute after Limbu’s pin point header on a long ball from Rajin Dhimal left Sherpa goalie Kishor Giri helpless. Sherpas failed to level the game six minutes later after Bishwash Shrestha’s powerful shot rebounded off the post. 

The hosts continued to dominate the game in the second half but it to took them long to extend the lead. After Jhapa goalie Alan Neupane made a brilliant save to deny Sunil Bal in the 70th minute, Buddha Chemjong set Limbu inside the box and the striker made no mistake to make it 2-0 in the 79th. 

With two goal deficit to overturn, Sherpas struggled to hit back and Jhapa struck again through Chemjong in the 87th minute. Chemjong received a cross from Dilen Loktan inside area before firing past Sherpa goalkeeper Giri. Kandangwa sealed the rout scoring in the 90th minute. Sherpa coach Bikash Gauchan said his team was not prepared for the game. “Our boys are yet to play as a team. They came up with a better showing in the second half but lack of coordination saw us conceding three goals late in the game,” said Gauchan. His Jhapa counterpart Sanjay Rai still wants his boys to improve. 

“The boys are playing good game of football but the final is always going to be difficult for us. We need to improve in the midfield department, if we are to materialise our plans of winning the title,” said Rai.

Sankata beat APF in Simara

SIMARA: Sankata Club defeated Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club 2-0 to enter the quarter-finals of the eighth Simara Gold Cup here on Friday. Raju Paudel put Sankata ahead in the 41st minute before Sushil KC made it 2-0 in the first minute of added time in the first half. Both teams created equal goal scoring chances but the end result remained the same.