Defending champions Jhapa XI and hosts Morang Football Club advanced to the semi-finals of the Birat Gold Cup football tournament here on Sunday.

Jhapa hammered George Telegraph 5-1 in a heated match that saw three players sent off, while Morang saw off United Football Club of Sikkim, India 2-0 in the quarter-finals. Jhapa vs Telegraph match was replayed after the local side denied taking part in the tiebreaker in near darkness with match tied at 1-1 in normal 90 and 20 minutes of extra time.

Jhapa will take on the winners of the match between Tribhuvan Army Club and Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club, while Moran will play against the winners of the another quarter-final clash between Manang Marshyangdi Club and Nepal Police Club (NPC).

Telegraph stunned the defending champions with first minute goal from Sabir Hussain but the lead lasted for just another two minutes as Buddha Chemjong drew level in the third minute.

The goal opened the floodgates for Jhapa and Bishal Rai added the second in the 39th minute before Karna Limbu scored two quick goals in the 71st and 76th minute to make it 4-1. Chamjong sealed the emphatic Jhapa win with

his second goal in the 90th minute.

The defending champions were reduced to 10 men when Narendra Mani Limbu was sent off for punching Rashiv Ghoki in the 44th minute. But the numerical imbalance didn’t last longer as Ghoki himself was sent off a minute later for his second bookable offense against Karna. Telegraph then played the last eight minute with nine men as Wapi Ram was red carded for a rash challenge.

In another quarter-final match, Chico and Rupesh KC scored for Morang. It took Morang 78 minute to open their account as Chico head home a corner from KC. The provider then turned scorer himself in the dying moments of the game. KC made no mistake to slam home an acute pass from skipper Dipak Rai to settle the match for good.

The Army Club will take on APF on Monday.