Dharan, February 17

Nepal Police Club defeated Dharan Football Club (Yellow) in sudden death to advance to the quarter-finals of the 19th International Invitational Red Bull Budha Subba Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the ANFA Technical Centre today.

The match was decided in fifth kick of the sudden death after the regulation period of 90 minutes ended in a 1-1 draw and both the teams were tied at 5-5 in penalty shoot out. NPC will now face United Sikkim FC of India.

Bikram Dhimal scored the match winning goal for the departmental side in sudden death after Bibek Rai’s shot was saved by NPC glovesman Roshan Khadka. Earlier, Nir Kumar Rai, Bhola Silwal, Hem Tamang and Man Bahadur Pariyar scored for NPC in sudden death, while Dharan’s Manoj Rai, Roman Limbu, Tirtha Basnet and Hem Limbu converted their shots.

In penalty shoot-out, NPC’s Ajit Bhandari, Tej Tamang, Buddha Lama, Jumanu Rai and Abhishek Rijal scored from the spot, while Dharan’s Dorje Tamang, Binod Rai, Ribash Maske, Joshan Rai and Yogesh Rai found the back of the nets. In the regulation period, Yogesh Rai put Dharan ahead in the 16th minute, while Bikram Dhimal of NPC levelled the scores in the third minute of the injury time to push the match to penalty shoot-out. Dharan’s Hem Limbu was named the man-of-the-match and got Rs 5,000.

Dharan’s coach Subash KC said his side lost the match after failing to break the NPC momentum at the final moments, while NPC’s coach Kumar Katwal said his team had to struggle hard after the players failed to put up a good show.