Mechi Netralaya Kakarvitta edged out visiting Dauphins FC of Cameroon 4-3 in the penalty shootout to enter the semi-finals of the Madan Bhandari International Invitational Itahari Gold Cup football tournament that kicked off in Itahari on Saturday. 

Playing against the physically superior Cameroonian outfit, Jhapa approached the game with a defensive mentality. Although Jhapa were under constant pressure, the match ended without score in the regular 80 minutes. 

In the penalty shootout, Kakarvitta goalie Deep Karki saved two shots from the spot and also converted a penalty to guide the team to the last four. 

The knockout tournament features eight teams, including two from abroad–Dauphins and CFC Club of Bhutan besides ‘A’ Division outfit Manang Marshyangdi Club, Three Star Club, Nepal Police Club, Tribhuvan Army Club. Hosts Rastriya Jagriti Club and Mechi Netralaya are the other teams in the fray. 

The Rs6.5 million tournament offers a winners’ purse of Rs 1.6 million and Rs800,000 for the runners-up. The best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward will each be given Rs20,000 while the topscorer will get Rs30,000 in addition to gift hampers.