Gahatraj scored from the penalty spot in the second minute of the second half of additional time after the regulation time ended in a goalless stalemate. [break]
Sherpa was awarded the penalty after NRT defender Raghu Prajapati fouled Ritesh Malla inside the box. NRT had defeated Sherpa 2-0 in the domestic league in July earlier this year.
Sherpa will now take on Southern Sports Club of India in the quarterfinal on Sunday.
Both the teams squandered some scoring opportunities in the highly competitive match. Dipak Rai wasted scoring chances for Sherpa in the 55th and 70th minutes.
Similarly, in the 74th minute, a powerful shot from 40 yards by Subash Limbu of Sherpa was denied by NRT glovesman Binay Shrestha.
Rai squandered a couple of scoring chances in the seventh minute of additional time as well. Rai´s shot rebounded hitting the crossbar and Nabin Neupane´s header in the rebound failed to achieve the target.
NRT, which intensified attacks from the very beginning, also missed several scoring opportunities. Rajan Adhikari´s powerful shot in the 36th minute went wide and Bishnu KC´s 44th minute strike hit the crossbar.
In the 60th minute, Sushil KC failed to convert in a one-on-one with goalie Rupak Shreshta, and Rajesh Gurung also squandered a scoring chance in the first minute of added time.
Sherpa coach Dilkaji Gurung said luck favored his side. "Though both teams played well, luck was with us," said Gurung, who lamented the lack of sufficient training perido for his side.
NRT coach Raju Kaji Shakya said his side failed to live up to expectations. "The boys could not play to their potential," he said, adding, "The failure to utilize scoring chances cost the team dearly."
Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) will take on Nepal Police Club in the third pre-quarterfinal on Thursday.
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