KATHMANDU: Hong Kong and Friends Club advanced to the quarter-finals of the second Pepsi International Seven-A-Side Football Tournament at the Dasharath Stadium on Sunday.

Hong Kong edged past Trinity Club of Waling 2-1 in the first match. Sandip Gurung put the Hong Kong team ahead early in the ninth minute with a powerful strike from 12 yards. Bimal Malla headed in an equaliser following a corner kick from Ajay BK in the 28th minute. But Kem Limbu scored the winner in the 34th to steer Hong Kong into the last eight. Hong Kong will meet Nepal Police Club for a place in the semi-finals.

In the other match, Friends Club rallied for a 3-1 victory over West Bengal. Mohammed Alam gave the visitors lead in the 15th minute before Nirajan Khadka levelled the scores six minutes later. Nur Raj Kafle put Friends ahead when he scored in the 25th minute and Azad Pradhan ensured the Lalitpur club cruise to the quarter-finals with a 49th minute goal. Friends will meet defending champions Manang Marsyangdi Club in the quarter-finals.