Kathmandu, November 17

NIBL Friends Club advanced to the quarter-finals of the third Chandragiri Mayor Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Naikap grounds today.

The A-division outfit thrashed Chandragiri Municipality 5-0. Sanjok Maharjan, Shakti Rai, Rumesh Bartaula, Prijen Tamang and Nishan Subba scored one goal each for Friends Club.

Friends took an early lead after Sanjok Maharjan found the back of the nets in the third minute of the match and Shakti Rai doubled the lead two minutes later. Rumesh Bartaula then converted a free kick into the goal in the 23rd minute as Friends went into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead over the hosts second team.

The home side put pressure on Friends in the second half but failed to reduce the margin. Instead they conceded two goals and were ousted from the first match. Prijen Tamang extended Friends’ lead in the 51st minute when he scored from outside the box, while Nishan Subba completed the scoring in the 70th minute. Sanjok Maharjan of Friends Club was named the player of the match and he earned Rs 5,000.

On Monday, Nepal Police Club will take on Jawalakhel Youth Club. A total of 12 teams are taking part in the tournament. Top two teams will earn Rs 650,000 and Rs 350,000 respectively, while best player of the tournament and the highest scorer will get Rs 30,000 each.