KATHMANDU: New Road Team (NRT) and Armed Police Force (APF) Club made easy passage to the last eight of the British Gurkha Cup Football Tournament here today.

In the final league matches in Group 'D,' NRT beat Sankata Club 3-0 while hat-tricks from Jibesh Pandey and Top Bahadur Bista helped APF inflict a humiliating 9-0 defeat to Western Region-XI. APF topped the group with seven points to set quarter-final meeting with Group 'C' runner up Machhindra Football Club and NRT, who ended up second with six points, will play Manang Marshyangdi Club.

Sankata, who would have qualified even with a draw, failed to give their best when it really mattered the most. Sankata coach Uzol Manandhar said his players didn't perform to their potentials. A reckless goalkeeping from Deepak Dangol put NRT ahead in the 44th minute. Dangol got his hands to a weak low shot from Subhash Rai which was struck out from the area but it sailed into the nets.

Ranjeet Shrestha struck a powerful shot from the edge of the box in the 62nd minute but Dangol denied him. NRT coach Diken Suwal then sent in striker Nirajan Rayamajhi in the 83rd minute and the substitution payed rich dividend. Rayamajhi converted his first touch of the match close from the area cashing on a freekick from Khum Gurung.

Sankata, who held APF in their second match, were unable to put NRT in pressure. It was rather NRT who sealed the match courtesy an own goal from Sudeep Sikhakar. Sudeep tried to clear a cross from Ranjeet Shrestha but headed the ball into own nets. NRT coach Diken Suwal was not satisfied with his team's performance despite the win. "I am disappointed by the star players and the forwards are posing a real headache for us," said Suwal.

Later in the day, Jibesh and Top Bahadur's first and second half hat-tricks guided APF easily to the knockout stage. Jibesh struck in the sixth, 30th and 42nd minutes. APF went to second half with a 4-0 lead after Ganesh Lawati scored in the injury time. Ganesh struck another in the 48th converting a cross from Kumar Thapa.

Top then joined the goal scoring spree completing his hat-trick in the 78th minute. Top scored the other two goals in the 58th and 69th minute. Western-XI captain Rajan Shakya conceded an own goal to compound their misery in the 63rd minute. Shakya kicked the ball into his own nets while clearing a cross from Milan Rai. APF coach Maheshwor Mulmi appreciated the individual talents of the opponents and once again expressed dissatisfaction over his team's lack of coordination.