Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) eased to a 4-0 win over Diamond of Football Academy of India to book a semi-final berth in the second Satashi Gold Cup football tournament in Jhiljhile, Jhapa, on Wednesday.

Keeping the match under control from the onset, the departmental team opened the scoring in the 31st minute and added three more goals after the interval to send Madhya Pradesh’s team packing home. Before opening the score, APF squandered a scoring chance in the eighth minute when Hari Karki’s header sailed above the bar. And two minutes later Diamond goalie Roy made a spectacular save to deny Yubaraj Khadka. In the 24th, Roy punched Raj Kumar Kumal’s scorcher to safety.

Rup Bahadur Lama broke the deadlock when he headed Nabin Lama’s corner from the crowded zone. Shyam Nepali doubled the tally nine minutes after resumption, scoring in a solitary encounter with glovesman Abhijeet Roy. Ranjan Bista made it 3-0 in the 72nd minute from close range before creating another in the 81st minute. Bista set the ball for Nabin Lama to add the fourth.

Goal scorer Lama was declared the man-of-the-match and was rewarded with Rs 10,000. Hosts Satasidham Sporting Club will take on Church Boys United of Kathmandu on Thursday.

Army edge JYC on penalties

KATHMANDU: Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) edged Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) 5-3 in tiebreaker to advance into the semi-finals of the Chandragiri Gold Cup football tournament on Wednesday. Second choice goalie Gandip Khadka, who replaced injured Maheshwor Shrestha in the 63rd minute, denied Suraj Thakuri of JYC in the penalty shootout after the regulation time ended on a goalless draw. All five Army players—captain Hiranya Magar, Rajiv Gurung, Eric Bista, Dinesh Karki and Rupesh Chhetri—converted from the spot. Ram Thapa Magar, Sidiwe and Asim Thapa were on target for JYC. Nepal Police Club will take on Sankata Club on Thursday. The champions will receive Rs 500,000 and the runners-up will take home Rs 250,000. (PR)