Hosts Jhapa XI made a flying start with a 5-0 drubbing of Farwest XI in the curtain raiser of third Jhapa Gold Cup to enter the quarter-finals at the Domalal Stadium on Saturday.

Star forward Karna Limbu struck twice for the home team that went into break with 4-0 lead. Devendra Tamang and Khamir Gilson Kandangwa were also on targets for Jhapa who were also gifted an own goal. Jhapa’s victory also helped them avenge the defeat the faced against Farwest four months ago in the first round of Kakadbhitta Gold Cup, also in Jhapa.

Jhapa, backed by roaring home supporters, drew first blood as early as in the sixth minute after defender Tamang opened the scoring. Tamang slammed in forward Bishal Rai’s rebounder from the woodwork for a clean finish. In the 13th minute, Farwest custodian Jeevan Bhattarai punched Bishwas Shrestha’s freekick from the edge to safety. Jhapa doubled the advantage a minute later after Shrestha’s strike on goal rebounded off Bishnu Chaudhary’s feet before entering the nets and was awarded a suicide goal.

Goalie Bhattarai again denied winger Kandangwa in the 22nd minute before Limbu made it 3-0 during half an hour mark. Kandangwa netted fourth goal for Jhapa in the injury time of first half set by Bhusan Subba. The home team sealed the victory in the 52nd minute with second goal from Limbu. The diminutive forward made a spectacular goal in a skipper Gurung’s cross set by Kandangwa.

Limbu was declared the-man-of-the-match and won Rs 25,000 for his feat. Bivek Chaudhary of Farwest also get some decent scoring chances but failed to utilise them. Nepal Police Club will play Rupandehi XI on Sunday.

The knockout tournament carries the highest cash prize in the district outside Kathmandu offering cash purse of Rs 12,51000 to the winners and Rs 600,000 to the runners up. Altogether 10 teams including one from India – Sikkim United — are competing in the tournament.