Sunsari, March 22

Defending champions Sagarmatha Youth Club registered a 3-1 shock victory over two-time Martyrs Memorial A Division League winners Machhindra Football Club and advanced to the final of the 13th Itahari Gold Cup here today.

Rajiv Lopchan, Stephen and Msuke scored for Sagarmatha, while skipper Afeez Olawale netted the consolation goal for Machhindra in the first semi-final match of the tournament at the Itahari Stadium. Stephen was named the player of the match and he received Rs 10,000.

Lopchan put Sagarmatha ahead in the fourth minute of the match following a pass from Msuke, while Stephen doubled the tally in the 12th minute. Msuke made it 3-0 for the defending champions before Olawale cut the deficit minutes before the first half whistle. Olawale scored from the spot after Abhishek Limbu fouled him inside the box.

Sagarmatha coach Yam Gurung was not satisfied with the overall performance of the team despite the victory over the A division outfit. 'I am happy for the win but the players lacked coordination in the match,' Gurung said.

Machhindra coach Santosh Neupane rued the missed opportunities. 'We could not convert the chances that came our way. And we conceded the second goal due to mistake of referee,' he said. 'And we fielded the second-choice players to give them much-needed exposure and match experience.

'A' Division newcomers Church Boys United will play against last year's runners-up Tribhuvan Army Football Club in the second semi-final match on Thursday. The final is slated for Saturday. Top two teams of the event will receive one million rupees and Rs 500,000 respectively.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 23, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.