PANCHTHAR, Jan 5: Defending champion Karna Singh Sonam Memorial Club of Taplejung registered a thumping 6-1 win over Church Boys Club on Kathmandu on Wednesday to book semifinal spot in the Eighth Falgunanda Gold Cup Football Tournament being held in Panchthar, Phidim.
African recruit Peter Segun starred for Karna Singh scoring a hat-trick for the team. The Taplejung based team kept the match under control against the opponent studded with three African players. Sunil Bal added two other goals and Nirajan Khadka one for the winning team.
However, it was Church Boys who took 13th minute lead in the match. African player Ajayi Martins headed a rebounder to open scoring. Nirajan stored the parity in the 38th minute.
Karna Singh added five goals after the break with Segun scoring twice two minutes into second half. Sunil made it 4-1 the 53rd minute. Segun completed his hat-trick in 78th before Sunil sealed the victory in the stoppage time.
Phidim Sporting Club will take on Birtamod Youth Club of Jhapa in the first semifinal of the tournament to be held on Sunday.