Biratnagar, April 2

Jhapa-XI came from two goals down to defeat Morang-XI 5-3 on penalties and advanced to the semi-finals of the Birat Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Shahid Maidan today.

The match was decided in spot kick battle after both the teams were deadlocked at 3-3 in the regulation period of 90 minutes and they failed to score in the 30 minutes of extra time.

Deepak Rai and Niraj Basnet scored one goal each for Morang, while Mufta Lawal of Jhapa netted an own goal in the regulation period. Jhapa’s foreign recruit Michael Chukwobunna struck twice after Karna Limbu had cut the deficit.

Morang took the lead in the 20st minute when Deepak Rai converted the free kick, while Niraj Basnet doubled the lead eight minutes later. Karna Limbu cut the deficit in the 31st minute when he found the back of the nets. Morang restored the two-goal lead in the 55th minute when Dilen Loktam scored into his own nets while trying to clear the ball.

Jhapa’s Chukwobunna made it 3-2 in 58th minute and he levelled the scores with his second goal of the match in the 87th minute.