Sankata Club of Kathmandu defeated Narayangunj SC of Bangladesh 2-0 to enter the semi-finals of the 15th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup here at the Pokhara Stadium on Tuesday. 

Second half goals from Nirajan Khadka and Bishwas Shrestha helped Sankata sail into the last four. In the semi-finals, Sankata will take on title contenders Manang Marshyangdi Club. 

It was the visiting side who had the first attack in the frame when in the 13th minute Habibur Rahman Sohag’s free kick found Md AS Yousuf inside the box but the latter’s shot was saved by Sankata goalie Binay Shrestha. Two minutes later, skipper Rajon Miah was in hand to give Narayangunj the lead after he his shot beat the goalkeeper and found unmarked Mohammad Rony but was quickly intercepted by Saroj Dahal.

Narayangunj suffered a blow when their first choice goalkeeper Mohammad Rajib was stretchered off  following an injury and replaced by Sowrab Sarkar in the 24th minute. Sankata gradually began piling pressure on the visitors and Shrestha was close to scoring in the 27th minute after he was set for one-versus-one with Sarkar but the forward went on to loft the ball high above the bar.

After the goalless stalemate in the first half, Sankata wasted little time to take the lead through Khadka in the 53rd minute. Khadka headed home a cross from Koara Larba Florent Kone on a corner kick from Shrestha. Sankata goalie Shrestha then kept his side in the lead denying Rony in a one-versus-one encounter with Rony in the 81st minute. Sankata had made it to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Nepal Police Club, while Narayangunj—the last minute replacement for Farashgunj FC—were drawn directly in the last eight.

Narayangunj coach S Islam blamed the long travel by road for their below-par performance. “We only arrived late on Sunday evening and were unable to find out feet. We went straight into the game without any sort of practice,” said Islam. Considering the circumstances, Islam believed his team played a good game against “a strong opponent.”

Sankata coach Salyan Khadgi said his team played with tremendous pressure after their failure to score early goal. “We played well but we took pressure on ourselves as we were unable to score early goals. Khadgi was looking forward to meeting Manang Marshyangdi Club in the semi-finals and said: “We hope to give a tough fight to them on Thursday.” Sahara Club will take on Tribhuvan Army Club on Wednesday.