POKHARA: Machhindra Club of Kathmandu reached the quarter-finals of the eighth Aaha Gold Cup Football Tournament defeating Gorkha United Club of Dehradun 3-2 here at the Pokhara Stadium today.

In a see-saw battle, Guinean striker Diyalo Rahim Koji scored

a brace and man-of-the-match Karna Limbu added the

another for Machhindra while Balwindar and Goswami struck for the Indian team.

Karna struck for Machhindra in the 44th minute cashing in on a cross from Bishal Rai. A minute later, Manish Thapa was

close to level the scores for Gorkha United but his powerfully struck shot rebounded off the cross bar. However, the Indian team bounced back in the match in the 46th minute after Balwindar took the ball from midfield and struck beautifully from the edge of the area.

Rupesh KC struck a powerful header close from the goalline in the 47th minute but the ball rebounded off the crossbar. Gorkha United then took the lead with another solo effort from Goswami in the 52nd minute. Goswami took the ball from the centre and converted with an ease. Machhindra, who were equally making threatening moves, finally found the equaliser in the 69th minute.

Bikram Limbu supplied

a brilliant pass to unmarked Diyalo and the latter made no mistake in converting it from inside the area. Six minutes later Diyalo found the decisive goal, meeting a rebound ball which came from a powerfully struck shot from Karna Limbu. The Indian team was left ruing almost a dozen goal scoring chances.

Machhindra coach Narottam Shakya said he was not satisfied with his team’s performance as the midfield and the forward lacked coordination. The Indian team coach Sameer Gurung said his team was not set properly as they were without their most of the senior players.

In Thursday’s match, the British Gurkha Cup runners up Manang Marshyangdi Club will play the Armed Police Force Club.