Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) set title date with Three Star Club after defeating Garifa Sporting Club of Kolkata 3-0 in the semi-final of the Madan Bhandari Memorial Itahari Gold Cup on Thursday.

Nepali international Santosh Sahukhala, who returned to domestic football after two years, netted twice for MMC as Garifa played with a man down for the entire second half. MMC made the numerical advantage count, netting all three goals after the break. Sahukhala is in Japan for the last two years and only returned home a few days earlier.

Garifa were reduced to 1- men in the 44th minute when their foreign recruit Abu Bokai got thee marching order by referee Kabin Byanjankar for his kick on Sahukhala’s face. Sahukhala took just two minutes after the break to put MMC ahead as the forward capitalised on a defensive error from Garifa defender to score.

Man-of-the-match Sahukhala made it 2-0 in the 67th minute, scoring from the edge of the area following a pass from Victor. Bimal Rana Magar, who replaced skipper Anil Gurung, sealed victory with a shot from 30 yards.

APF enter quarters

Aditya Chaudhary struck the decisive goal to steer Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club to the quarter-finals of the 16th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup with a 1-0 win over Sankata Club on Thursday. Chaudhary netted the lone goal in the 27th minute through a curling freekick that evaded the eight-man defensive wall as well as the custodian Dinesh Shrestha. It was 12th participation of APF in the tournament and the lifted the trophy once during the sixth edition when they beat Nepal Police Club 2-0 in the final. Last year Sankata crashed out of the semi-finals with a 1-0 defeat against MMC. NPC will take on Jhapa XI on Friday. (PR)