Pokhara, February 22:

Gyanendra Armed Police Force (APF) Officers’ Club defeated Dharan Football Club 4-3 in tie-breaker and entered the quarter-finals of the fourth Aaha Gold Cup Football Tournament here today.

The game was extended to the penalty shootout after both the teams failed to break the 2-2 deadlock in the 30-minutes of the added time.

Dharan FC skipper Milan Shrestha had provided an early lead in the ninth minute but APF skipper Jibesh Pandey equalised two minutes into the second half following Ajay KC’s free kick.

Ajay then put APF ahead scoring on a cross off Prakash KC in the 66th minute. Dharan FC skipper Shrestha brought back his team into the game scoring the equaliser just three minutes later. Raghu Prajapati of APF was declared man of the match.

Pradip Acharya, Gudia Rai and Sudip Limbu converted the spot kicks for Dharan FC while star of the regular 90 minutes skipper Milan Shrestha and Rishi Rai failed to convert their penalties.

Ajay KC, Jibesh Pandey, Raghu Prajapati and Chandra Rana converted their penalties for APF, who finished fifth in the recently concluded Martyrs’ Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League in their debut season.

APF will face the league champions Manang Marsyangdi Club in the quarter-final. On Wednesday, Tribhuvan Army Club will take on Night Chess Club of Jhapa.