Kathmandu, November 18

NIBL Friends Club defeated CMG Club Sankata 1-0 and advanced to the final of  the first Chandragiri Gold Cup here at the Naikap grounds today.

Second half solitary goal from foreign recruit Seung was enough for Friends to win the match. Seung converted a free kick in the 70th minute from 25 yards leaving Sankata goalie Binay Shrestha stranded. Friends earned the free kick after Sankata’s Sajit Thapa brought down Friends’ Rumesh Bartaula.

In  the closely contested battle between the two ‘A’ division outfits, Friends skipper Dhiraj Shrestha wasted a chance after receiving a long pass from goalkeeper Ashish  Thada. And a  minute later, Sankata’s Nirajan Khadka was denied by Friends goalie  Thada.

Similarly, Sankata’s Ajayi Martins hit inches wide from the  box in the 15th minute, while Friends’ Glory failed to convert in  one-on-one situation with Sankata custodian Binay Shrestha in the 20th minute.

Sankata were denied on couple of  occasions in the second half as well. Prakash Budhathoki’s shot in the 56th minute was punched out by  Friends’ goalkeeper Thada, who stood firm to stop  Martins’ shot two minutes  later. Friends’ Seung was named the man-of-the-match and earned Rs 3,000.

In Sunday’s semi-final match, Tribhuvan Army Club will play against Himalayan Sherpa Club.