Runners up Sankata Club sent knocked out domestic football giants Manang Marshyangdi Club from the first match of the 20th Budhasubba Gold Cup with a 1-0 victory at the Dharan Stadium here on Saturday. 

Sankata’s foreign recruit Earnest Trump scored the decider late in the second half to send the three-time champions MMC home. They had also crashed out from their first match of the Aaha-Rara Gold Cup in Pokhara losing 3-1 to Nepal Police Club. 

Sankata, who had lost to Nepal Police Club in sudden death in the final of last edition, will meet Monday’s winners between the departmental team and Jhapa XI in the semi-final. 

In the 75th minute of the match, Trump made full use of a poor clearance from MMC defenders to score close from the goal line on a free kick from Hemant Thapa Magar. Sankata coach Salyan Khadgi was over the moon after beating a side that included a haul of national players.

“They (MMC) had good players but the fortune favoured us today. We had taken to the field without much of training but still managed to return with victory. We have to up our game in coming match,” said Khadgi. On Sunday, hosts Dharan Football Club will take on Durgapur Steel FC of Kolkata.