DHARAN: The invited United Kurseong Football Club of Darjeeling overpowered Pokhara-XI 3-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the 12th Budha Subba Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the proposed Eastern Stadium today.

In an eventful match, Ritesh Pradhan, Kumar Magarati and Amir Lama scored for the Kurseong boys while Bishnu KC and Deepak Bhushal struck for Pokhara-XI. Ritesh gave Kurseong early 22nd minute lead capitalising in on a cross from Nagen Lama. However, their lead didn't last for two minutes after Bishnu brought back the equaliser that made the scores 1-1 going into the second half.

Kumar then retained the tourists' lead striking in the 65th minute. Ten minutes later Amir extended the team's lead further to make the match safe by then. The visitors were down to 10-man in the 85th minute after Arpan Shrestha was sent off for his first bookable offence for bringing down Ganesh Khadka outside the area. Deepak followingly took the free kick and brilliantly converted to reduce the deficit. Pokhara tried to create pressure upon the 10-man Kurseong but the remaining short time knocked them out. Amir Thapa of Kurseong was adjudged the man of the math.

Pokhara coach Kumar Gurung said his side -- which included four players who played at the Aaha Gold Cup in Pokhara - lacked coordination in the field. Kurseong coach Dinkar Chhetri rued the missed opportunities. On Sunday's match, the AHM Kamrujamun Shriti Samsad of Bangladesh will take on the ANFA Under 16 Team.