BIRGUNJ, April 23: CMG Club Sankata has reached the semifinal of the ongoing Tuborg Bishal Memorial Gold Cup Football Tournament registering a 2-0 victory over Armed Police Force (APF) in its first match on Sunday.

In the match played at Narayani stadium, Birgunj, Raj Paudel scored a brace for Sankata to help his team book the place in the last four.

Raj scored the opener in the 43rd minute for Sankata while he netted another goal two minutes later to help his side register the 2-0 win over the departmental side. 

After guiding his team to the victory, Sankata's coach Salyan Khadgi said that players executing the game plan perfectly was the reason behind the win. “Our players played up to the mark. Their effort was brilliant while executing the game plan,” said coach Khadgi who has guided Sankata to three titles this season. The Kathmandu-based outfit has lifted Bikash Running Sheild, Simara Gold Cup and Tilottama Gold Cup this season under Khadgi. 

Meanwhile, APF's coach Ratna Maharjan pointed out the failure in utilizing the chances as the major reason behind the defeat. “We created some great chances but failing to convert them cost us dearly.

And defensively as well we weren't up to the mark,” said Maharjan. 

The champion of the tournament will bag a purse of Rs 500,000 while the runner-up will be rewarded with Rs 250,000. 

 
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