Himal Press 
POKHARA: Jawalakhel Youth Club advanced to the semifinals of the 22nd Aha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup by defeating Manang Marshyangdi Club in a sudden-death shootout in the third quarterfinal at Pokhara Stadium on Monday.
Jawalakhel’s substitute keeper Unesh Chaudhary Deula saved Manang’s Randeep Poudel’s penalty after his side had taken a 7-6 lead through Prakash Budhathoki to take his side through to the semifinal. The two teams engaged in additional rounds of spot kicks as the score remained level at 4-4 after five penalty kicks each.
The match entered a tie-breaker after both teams played a 1-1 draw in the regulation 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time. Jawalakhel took the lead in the 55th minute when Hisub Thapaliya collected Sudeep Shrestha’s pass, entered the penalty box and unleashed a powerful shot past Manang’s goalkeeper.
Manang’s Rajesh Pariyar forced the match into extra time when he got the equalizer in the 89th minute. Pariyar’s cross from the flank found the net beating Jawlakhel goalkeeper Deula.
Jawalakhel Youth Club will meet fellow Lalitpur side Three Star Club in the semifinal.
