Pokhara, January 31:

Nigerian born Izy scored a solitary goal as Belgharia Sporting Club of Kolkata ousted hosts Sahara Club 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the seventh Aaha Gold Cup here at the Pokhara Stadium today.

Izy scored from the spot in the 34th minute after Ichhe Gurung handled the ball inside the danger zone. Tapan Das of the visiting team won the man of the match award. Belgharai coach Sameer Mukherjee was happy to have won the match despite their arduous 30-hour journey to Pokhara. “Our players played really well,” added Mukherjee. Mukherjee also praised Sahara for their stiff resistance.

Sahara coach Kiran Shrestha blamed missed opportunities for their defeat. “We wasted too many easy goal scoring chances,” said Shrestha. Shrestha was also unhappy with referee’s decision to award the spot kick against them. “He (Gurung) was penalised despite making no contact with hands,” added the Sahara coach.

Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club, who had a first round bye, will meet Nepal Army Club in the second quarter-final match on Sunday.