The 6th Jhapa Gold Cup witnessed a nail-biting encounter as APF Football Club, despite facing recent relegation in the A division league, secured a hard-fought 4-3 win against Bagmati Youth Club in the quarter-finals.

The Birtamode clash was tense, with both sides displaying attacking intent. APF found the net through Suman Shrestha, Fode Fofona, Kuldeep Karki, and Pradeep Lama, while Bagmati countered with goals from Abhi Lama, Bimal Ghising, and Diwas Limbu. However, APF’s goalkeeper, Anjal Shrestha, emerged as the hero, making crucial saves to deny Nirmal Ghising and Anil Rana Magar.

This victory marks a resurgence for APF, which is currently embroiled in a dispute with another club. However, their performance on the field has been nothing short of impressive. In their Jhapa Gold Cup debut, Bagmati showcased fighting spirit despite missing crucial opportunities. The C Division side threatened early with Anil Rana Magar’s powerful shot and Nirmal Ghising’s free-kick rattling the crossbar.

APF coach Sunil Shrestha acknowledged room for improvement, citing jersey issues affecting his team’s execution. On the other hand, Bagmati’s coach expressed disappointment at their missed chances despite applying constant pressure.

Shrestha’s heroics between the posts earned him the Player of the Match award. The tournament’s intrigue continues as NRT Football Club Kathmandu gears up to face Church Boys United Lalitpur in the second quarter-final tomorrow, leaving fans eager to witness the further unfolding of the Jhapa Gold Cup-2080 drama.