Dharan, February 21

Nepal Police Club defeated 10-man Kanchanjunga Football Club of India 3-2 and advanced to the semi-finals of the 19th International Invitational Red Bull Budha Subba Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the ANFA Technical Centre grounds today.

Abhishek Rijal scored a brace and Man Bahadur Pariyar netted a goal for NPC, while Niwash Rana and Karna Thapa scored for Kanchanjunga. Rijal opened the scoring for NPC in the 49th when he converted a free kick into a goal, while Rijal doubled the tally in the 59th minute.

Kanchanjunga were reduced to 10 men after skipper Amir Lama was expelled for a foul against NPC’s Bhola Silwal in the 67th. Despite being a man down, Kanchanjunga hit back with two goals. Rana cut the deficit in the 71st minute and Thapa scored the equaliser from the spot after NPC’s Karna Ghimire fouled Anil Rai two minutes from time.

At a time when the match heading towards a penalty shoot-out, Pariyar headed home the winner in the injury time following a corner kick from Taj Tamang.