Ruslan Three Star Club defeated Nepal APF Club 1-0 and advanced to the semi-finals of the third Rumpum Jhapa Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Domalal Stadium in Biratmod today.

Ajayi Martins' second half solitary goal was enough for Three Star to take revenge over APF. Three Star had faced a 1-0 defeat in the final of Bikash Running Shield Tournament in Chitwan on Saturday.

Three Star's foreign recruit Martins scored the goal in the 57th minute utilising a cross from Sunil Bal. Earlier, Bal was denied by APF custodian Amrit Chaudhary in the fifth minute, while Martins wasted a chance in the ninth minute.

Similarly, Buddha Chemjong came close to scoring in the 41st minute and Martins ended up hitting woodwork in the 64th minute. Three Star skipper Nirajan Khadka shot wide in the 76th minute and Martins was denied by APF goalie Chaudhary two minutes later.

At the other end, APF's Hari Karki was denied by Three Star glovesman Alen Neupane from the goalline in the 24th minute and Ramesh Dangal headed inches wide off the target in the 74th minute. Similarly, Roshan Lama ended up hitting wide from the box in the 85th minute.

Three Star's Martins was named the man-of-the-match and got Rs 25,000.