Bara, March 28

Church Boys United advanced to the semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Nepal APF Football Club in the 13th Jagdamba Jitpur-Simara Gold Cup here at the Simara Stadium today.

Santosh Neupane and Ranjit Pandey scored for the United after Santosh Shrestha had put the departmental side ahead. United will face another A division outfit New Road Team on Thursday for a place in the final.

APF midfielder Shrestha opened the scoring in the 23rd minute but the departmental side could not preserve the lead. Shrestha controlled the ball released by Shyam Nepali inside the box and slammed home from close.

United levelled the scores in the 31st minute through Neupane's goal after his header deflected to APF defender and entered the goal.

United took the lead in the 43rd minute when Ranjeet Pandey found the back of the nets with a diving header following a cross from Subash Gurung. United's Bempa was named the player of the match and he earned Rs 10,000.

On Wednesday, Makawanpur-XI will take on another A division outfit Himalayan Sherpa Club in the first semi-final match of the tournament.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 29, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.