Club Sankata and Lumbini FC won their respective matches to enter the semi-finals of the Lalit Memorial U-18 Football Tournament at the Anfa Complex on Wednesday.

Sankata eased to a 3-1 victory over Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) with a brace from Suman Dangol. Roshan Neupane pulled one back for MMC. Lumbini laboured to a 2-1 victory over Morang FC rallying from a goal down.

Sankata opened the scoring through a spot kick from Dangol in the 16th minute after MMC defender was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area. Sujan Maharjan made sure Sankata head into the second with a two-goal cushion with a low drive from outside the box in the 39th minute.

Neupane brought back MMC in the game converting a freekick in the 78th minute. Rejuvenated by the goal, MMC created several goal scoring chances but missed out on all occasions. It was rather Sankata who closed out the match after Dangol found the back of the net in the 95th minute. Sankata coach Devendra Jung Shahi was happy with the show. “We came for a win and I am happy we just did,” said Shahi.

In the second quarter-final match, Lumbini were stunned when Milan Dhimal put Morang ahead with a fine dribbling to penetrate the defence before firing home in the 32nd minute. Lumbini regrouped during after interval and hit back with a strong display. Substitute Anup Gurung levelled the scores nine minutes into the second half and Tejendra Pun made it 2-1 in the 59th. Morang coach Uttam Kumar Khawas said injuries to key players took toll in their game.

“We played the game as planned but not having four key players due to injury cost us dear. By the time we found rhythm we had conceded two goals and it was too late for a comeback,” added Khawas.