The home team Sangrila Morang Football Club reached the semi-finals of the 8th edition of Birat Gold Cup football tournament after defeating the visiting team Royal Thimphu Football Club (RTFC) of Bhutan.

Sangrila Morang DFA secured the place in the last four by defeating RTFC 3-2 in the first quarterfinal match at Sahid Maidan in Biratnagar.

With the win, Sangrila will play against the winning team between the departmental team Armed Police Force and Church Boys United on Monday.

Ashish Chapagai, Sushil Rai and foreign player Sorge Song scored goals for Sangrila Morang DFA. On behalf of RTFC, Sorab Dorje scored two goals, but it was not enough.

In the 26th minute of the match, Ashish Chapagai headed the corner ball taken by Bivek Poudel and gave the team the lead. After conceding the first goal, RTFC came under pressure. In the 33rd minute, Sushil Rai doubled the lead by scoring a great goal with a header in the 33rd minute. Sushil made good use of the pass sent by Mausam Limbu from the center and scored. With the support of the home audience, Sangrila Morang DFA played an aggressive game from the second half. In the 50th minute of the second half, the foreign player Song scored the third goal. After RTFC's goal keeper Dendup went forward, foreign player Song's shot hit the left bar and hit the net.

RTSF's Sorab Dorje scored two goals in the 65th and 74th minutes. Sorab Dorje scored after Kelzang Jigme's shot was punched by Sangrila's goalkeeper Bishal Sunar and bounced back. In the 74th minute, Zigme of RTSF made use of a pass and Sorab scored to bring the score to 3-2 and boosted the team's morale.

Sangrila's Sunil Khadka missed a goal in the 60th minute of a one-on-one shot. His shot from inside the box was deflected by Dendup.

Sangrila's Mahendra Karki was declared the player of the match. He got Rs 11,000 in cash. Sunday's match will be between NRT Football Team Kathmandu and Sikkim Dragons FC, India.

After the defeat, Bhutan's coach Ugyen Dorje said that the result was not in his favor because team missed the opportunities. Reacting after the victory, the coach of Sangrila Morang Football Club, Ranu Rana Magar said that the players have reached the semi-finals because of their excellent performance.

"In the semi-finals, some players will be added to the current set," he said.