DAMAK, March 9: Home team Jhapa XI has inched closer to the championship defeating Three Star Club in a semifinal match to seal a spot in the final of the ongoing Jhapa Gold Cup in Damak, Jhapa on Friday. This is Jhapa’s fourth straight final in as many years of tournament. However, they are yet to win one.

Jhapa won the match in penalty shoot-out after the match ended in goalless draw after the extra time. Jhapa sent pass three versus Three Star’s one during the tie-breaker to seal the final spot.

Player of the match Dinesh Thapa Magar was the standout performer for home team during the 0-0 draw. He further went on to deny two spot kicks to Three Star during shoot-out and simultaneously score one to make sure the host team reached the final for the fourth time in a row. 

Magar denied Buddha Limbu and Mikchen Tamang’s shots whereas Rijan Dhimal scored for the visiting team.  Likewise, Jhapa’s Hemant Gurung and Karna Limbu’s attempt was stopped by Three Star goalkeeper Alan Neupane before Pujan Uparkoti, Devendra Tamang and goalie Magar scored to secure the 3-1 win.

Jhapa will face the winner of second semifinal match which will be played between Tribhuvan Army Club and Cameroonian Dhauphins Club on Saturday.

Jhapa Coach Prabesh Katwal was satisfied with result and credited the defense line for successfully marking oppositions’ prolific scorer for the win. He further added to devise a new game plan for the final match whichever team they meet. 

Three Star Coah Meghraj KC praised the organizers for hosting a quality tournament along with proper management. He further mentioned that the team was not able to score in the regular time, which led to the loss.

 
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