Dhangadhi, January 6

Nepal APF Club beat Sahara Club of Pokhara 5-4 on penalties and advanced to the quarter-finals of the second International Invitational Nepal Ice Farwest Khaptad Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Dhangadhi Stadium today.

The match was decided on penalties after both the teams failed to find the back of the nets in the regulation period of 90 minutes.

Anjan  Bista, Sudeep Sikhrakar, Aditya Chaudhary, Raju Nagarkoti and Ranjan  Bista converted their shots from the spot for the departmental side, while Sushan Gurung,  Bijay Shrestha, Man Bahadur Tamang and Phurba Lama netted for Sahara Club. APF custodian Raju Nagarkoti denied Laxman GC of Sahara.

In the regulation  period, Sahara Club missed a golden chance to take the lead when they were awarded with the penalty in the 18th minute of the match but Binod Gurung ended up  hitting wide from the spot.

APF goalkeeper Raju Nagarkoti was named the man-of-the-match and he received Rs 10,000. On Sunday, Dharan Football Club will take on CMG Club Sankata.

A total of 12 teams are taking part in the tournament, the biggest one in terms of cash purse, organised by Farwest Sports Club under the sponsorship of Nepal Ice. The champions will be richer by Rs 1.1 million, while the runners-up will bag a purse of Rs 555,555.