Sankata Club edged Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club 1-0 to enter the semi-finals of the Budha Subba Gold Cup football tournament here on Monday.

Raju Poudel scored in the 39th minute to seal his side a place in the last four at the Anfa Technical Centre. It was Sankata’s second victory over APF in their last three meetings having beaten them 2-0 in the Simara Gold Cup.

Sankata were beaten 1-0 in the Kakarbhitta Gold Cup last week. Sankata will now take on Rupandehi XI on Wednesday for a place in the final. On Tuesday, last year’s runners-up Nepal Police Club will take on United Sikkim.

In a closely-contested game, Sushil KC was close to giving Sankata a 17th minute lead but his shot was cleared by defender Milan Rai after goalkeeper Raju Nagarkoti was beaten. Three minutes later, APF created their first chance with Top Bista setting up Rupak Lama inside the box but his shot sailed wide.

Poudel then produced a fine header on a cross from Sajin Thapa leaving Nagarkoti with hardly any time to react. APF soon missed a chance to equalise after Bista’s powerful shot from the area was brilliantly punched away by Sankata custodian Binay Shrestha in the 42nd minute. A minute later, Shrestha denied Palsang Lama from a close range as Sankata went into the second half with one-goal cushion.

APF created several goal scoring opportunities in the second half but failed to finish one. APF coach Kumar Thapa rued the missed chances. “We should have scored three goals in the match today but unfortunately failed to make full use of the opportunities,” said Thapa. Sankata coach Salyan Khadgi said his team won a 50-50 battle.