Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club defeated Sankata Club 2-0 to book a semi-final berth in the Khaptad Gold Cup football tournament in Dhangadi on Wednesday.

National team winger Anjan Bista netted either side of the break to send the last edition’s runners-up Sankata packing home. APF will meet hosts Far West XI in the semi-finals on Sunday.

APF controlled the match from the early stages and kept the top-tier outfits under constant pressure. They were rewarded with a goal in the 23rd minute after Bista headed home the opener. Sankata came up with better performance after the break. But their quest for an equaliser never came and it was rather APF who killed off the match adding the second goal five minutes from time. Bista was declared man-of-the-match.

Sankata’s coach Salyan Khadgi rued on the missed chances, especially in the second half. “We came under pressure after conceding the goal before the break. We then failed to utilise chances that came our way in the second half,” Khadgi said. APF coach Ratna Kaji Maharjan said his team came up with much improved performance than in the last fixture against Sahara Club. “We were able to get timely goal which paved an easy win. We still have a lot more to improve and we will keep on chasing our title dream,” Maharjan said.

Tribhuvan Army Club will vie against Three Star Club in the second quarter-final match on Thursday.