Pokhara, January 3:

Nepal Police Club edged out Dharan Football Club 3-1 to enter the quarter-finals of sixth Aaha Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Pokhara Stadium today.

Ananta Thapa scored a brace and Chetan Ghimire added another for the department team. Raju Rai scored the consolation goal for Dharan Club.

Dynamic midfielder Ananta Thapa gave the police club the third minute lead before adding another himself in first half injury time. Ghimire made it 3-0 following a pass from Deepak Poudel in the 59th minute. Raju Rai replied for Dharan from the spot kick in the 76th minute. Dharan earned the penalty after NPC defender Deepak Poudel brought down Kendra Limbu inside the area.

Dipen Shrestha of the losing team was declared the man of the match.

NPC will meet Nabil Three Star Club in the quarter-finals on Monday.

NPC coach Birat Shrestha praised Dharan for their game. “I believe they (Dharan) played better football,” said Shrestha despite his team’s convincing victory.

Shrestha conceded that his players failed to deliver what he had expected against the lowly team like Dharan Club. The NPC coach, however, hoped that his boys would come up with their potential in the next game. Dharan Club coach Indu Rasaili said that his players could not perform because their opponents were far superior. “Confidence of our goalkeeper also went down after conceding a silly early goal,” said Rasaili.

Tribhuvan Army Club will meet Friends Club on Friday.