ILAM: Hosts Mai Valley Football Club defeated Kaski-XI 3-2 and advanced to the quarter-finals of the fourth International Invitational Mai Valley Gold Cup here on Thursday.

Manish Thapa scored a brace and skipper Subas Rai netted one for the hosts, while Uttam Gurung and Randip Paudyal scored for Kaski.

Thapa opened the scoring in the 19th minute, while Rai doubled the tally from the spot in the 57th minute. Thapa then scored his second goal to put Mai Valley 3-0 ahead seven minutes later.

Gurung cut the deficit in the 69th minute and Paudyal made it 3-2 in the injury time of the match. Chhiring Gurung of Mai Valley was named the man of the match and he earned Rs 10,000.

A total of 10 teams, including two from India and one from Bangladesh, are taking part in the tournament.

The champions will be richer by Rs 666,667, while runners-up will receive Rs 400,000.

The best player of the tournament will get a Yamaha motorcycle, while the highest scorer will earn Rs 25,000.