Dharan, March 14:

Ganesh Lawoti scored a solitary goal as Armed Police Force (APF) defeated Kakarvitta Football Club of Jhapa 1-0 at the ninth Budha Subba Gold Cup football tournament here today.

The win put the APF Team in the quarter-finals, where they will face fifth Aaha Gold Cup champions Nabil Three Star Club.

Lawoti scored the winner in the 78th minute — with only two minutes to go — when his powerful strike from the edge of the box found the net. Jhapa goalkeeper Rupak Gurung, who foiled as many as half a dozen strikes from APF to win the man of the match award, made a diving attempt but was unable to stop this time.

Despite being clear favourites to win the match, the APF players failed on several occasions, especially when Jhapa custodian Gurung stood firm against their attempts. Jhapa created three strong moves in the second half, but the luck was against them. Susan Bhandari’s second shot rebounded off the post, after APF goalkeeper Min Basnet saved the first one.

Both the coaches were not satisfied with their strikers. APF coach Dhruba KC said that they should have scored at least six goals had (Santosh) Sahukhala not missed the chances early in the match. “We will improve in next our match,” he said.

Jhapa coach Gopal Basnet rued the missed opportunities. “We had great chances to win the match, but our strikers muffed up so many chances,” he said.

Sahara Club of Pokhara will take on Morang XI on Thursday.