MORANG, April 3: Jhapa XI has advanced into semifinals of the ongoing fifth Birat Gold Cup Football Tournament with a 5-3 tiebreaker win over the host Morang XI on Monday.
At the Shahid Stadium, the match was pushed into the tiebreaker when both the teams played a 3-3 draw in the extra time and also at the end of the regulation time with the same score line.
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Morang took the lead in the 21st minute through Deepak Rai when he utilized a free-kick to make the score 1-0. Morang made it 2-0 in the 28th minute with a goal from Niraj Basnet. Jhapa pulled one back in the 31st minute with a goal from Karna Limbu.
The half time ended with a 2-1 score line and Morang went 3-1 ahead six minutes into the second half with an own goal from Dilen Loktam. Jhapa again cut the deficit in the 58th minute with a goal from Michael Chukobunna making the score 3-2. Chukobunna equalized the match in the 87th minute and pushed the game into extra time.
Both the teams got series of the other good chances, but could not add to their tallies. Jhapa got the first opportunity in the match, but the shot hit the top woodwork before going out.
There were no good chances in the extra time, but a corner kick from Morang’s goal scorer Rai was easily cleared by the defense in the 103rd minute. Jhapa got a free-kick in the additional time at the end of the first half extra time, but a fine save from Morang goalkeeper denied them. Morang got a corner in the 111th minute and Nishan Limbu directed it into the post, but the attack was cleared by the defense. Morang got another chance in the 114th minute when the shot hit the side pole.
The departmental team Armed Police Force will face CMG Sankata Club in the second quarterfinal match on Tuesday.
