Rupandehi enter semi-finals

Butwal, February 26

Agni Rupandehi advanced to the semi-finals of the 19th Tilottama Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the ANFA Technical Centre grounds in Devi Nagar today.

The hosts defeated Dharan Football Club 2-1 in the day’s quarter-final match. Laxman Ruchal and Ajay BK scored for Rupandehi, while Dharan got the goal courtesy of an own goal from Rupandehi’s Kalu Thapa. Rupandehi will now face the winners of the departmental derby between Tribhuvan Army Club and Nepal Police Club for a place in the final on Thursday.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Ruchal found the back of the nets before Rupandehi defender Kalu Thapa netted an own goal while trying to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper that levelled the scores at 1-1 in the 30th minute. BK restored the lead for Rupandehi with a goal seven minutes later.

On Monday, Nepal APF Club will play against CMG Club Sankata in another quarter-final match. APF ended their eight-match losing streak in the knockout tournaments since winning the gold medal in the seventh National Games in December last year with a 1-0 win over Shere FC of Kalimpong, India in the opening match last Thursday, while Sankata had a first-round bye.

The two teams played a 1-1 draw in a friendly match in Sarlahi before Sankata knocked APF out of Budha Subba Gold Cup with a 1-0 victory in Dharan last week. Sankata, who have already won two titles this season, lost in sudden death against Nepal Police Club in final on Saturday.