Sunsari, February 5

Nepal Police Club defeated Kakarvitta Football Training Centre 2-0 and advanced to the semi-finals of the 20th Budha Subba Gold Cup here at the Dharan Stadium today.

Suman Lama scored a goal for NPC, while Kakarvitta’s Bikesh Thulung netted an own goal. Four-time champions NPC took the lead in the 22nd minute when Thulung netted in his own nets while trying to clear Rejin Subba’s shot.

Lama doubled the tally in the 63rd minute following a pass from Ravi Paswan’s pass that sealed the victory for the departmental team that won the titles of Aaha Rara Gold Cup in Pokhara and NSC Men’s Football Championship in Dang.

NPC also wasted couple of goal scoring chances as Nir Kumar Rai failed to score in the sixth minute after receiving a pass from Rejin Subba, while Suman Lama hit inches wide off the post in the last moment.

At the other end, Kakarvitta created goal scoring chances but their forwards let the team down. Bikash Rai failed to score in one-on-one with NPC goalkeeper Shatrughan Chaudhary at the early stages of the match, while NPC goalie Chaudhary stood firm to deny BikashLimbu in the 22nd minute and also denied Diwash Urau in the 34th minute. Suman Lama of NPC was named the man-of-the-match and got Rs 10,000.

NPC coach Ananta Raj Thapa said his players put up a good show despite playing the match after a hectic travel from Pokhara. “The players were tired due to long travel but they played as per the team’s plan. We have a majority of young players and we won the match because of team work,” said Thapa, who added that his players were excited with the two titles.

Kakarvitta coach Min Bahadur Basnet blamed referee for his side’s defeat. “We should have earned at least five penalties but referee Rabin Byanjakar did not reward us one,” claimed Basnet. “And the own goal also changed the complexion of the match,” he added.

NPC will now face CMG Club Sankata, who stunned Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club 1-0 in the opening match, in the semi-final match on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Ruslan Three Star Club will take on Far-west Sports Club in last quarter-final match.