Dhangadhi, January 8

Ruslan Three Star Club defeated Rum Pum Jhapa-XI 3-1 and entered the quarter-finals of the second International Invitational Nepal Ice Farwest Khaptad Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Dhangadhi Stadium today.

Buddha Chemjong netted a brace and Martins Ajayi scored a goal for Three Star, while Karna Limbu scored the consolation goal for Jhapa.

Three Star returned to the field after 14 months since they decided not to take part in any football events in December 2016. The Lalitpur-based club remained out of action after the All Nepal Football Association failed to register their entry in the second round of the AFC Cup.

The two parties settled the issue after the ANFA agreed to provide them with a compensation of Rs 1.5 million. Three Star took the lead through Ajayi's goal in the 34th minute and Chemjong doubled the tally in the 39th minute.

Jhapa's Limbu cut the deficit in the 41st minute to keep his side in the game. But Chemjong restored the lead two minutes later with his second and team's third goal of the match. Chemjong was named the man-of-the-match and got Rs 10,000.