Hosts Rastriya Jagriti Club crashed out of the Madan Bhandari Memorial Itahari Gold Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 defeat against Garifa United Sporting Club of Kolkata on Tuesday.

Garifa, who fielded five foreign recruits in their squad, took an early second minute lead which ultimately turned out to be the winner. Seshi Solash dribbled past Jagriti players and tactfully placed the ball at the back of net to stun the home supporters. Garifa, who advanced to semi-final after first win, will take on Manang Marshyangdi Club on Thursday for a place in the final. The other semi-final match will see Tribhuvan Army Club take no Three Star Club on Wednesday. 

Despite conceding the goal, Rastriya Jagriti kept the visitors under pressure and created a couple of scoring chances. But they were themselves to blame for the elimination after failing to convert those opportunities. Garifa created as many as three scoring chances. In the 26th Prabesh Dunwar’s strike in a Dipen Tamang pass sailed above the bar and 10 minutes later Tirtha Basnet ended up firing straight at the hands of Garifa goalkeeper. Moments before the break Garifa’s Solash fired above bar.  

In the second half, Sela cut past three defenders but ended up firing wide. Rastriya Jagriti coach Shyam Manandhar said that conceding an early turned out to be fatal. “My boys played really well but lacked cutting edge. Our opponent also had the physical advantage over us,” added Manandhar. Garifa coach Pranob Chakraborty said his team were below par due exhaustion caused by a long travel to Nepal.

Farwest stun Sahara 3-0

POKHARA: Farwest XI stunned hosts Sahara Club 3-0 in the opening match of the 16th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup to secure a quarter-final berth in Pokhara on Tuesday.

Dhan Bahadur Thapa, Maniram Chaudhary and Rakesh Hamal were on targets for Farwest team, who avenged their 4-0 defeat against the same team in the first match last year.

Sahara created chance in the 21st minute when Binod Gurung fired above bar in a Richard Pun pass.

Thapa put Farwest ahead in the 25th capitalising on a defensive error after Sahara failed to clear a long throw leaving him to score from the six yards out.

Sahara doubled their advantage in the 78th minute through Chaudhary before Hamal killed the match in the stoppage time with third goal for Farwest. (PR)