Narayangarh,  March 3: Manang Marshyangdi, Mahendra Police, Three Stars, RCT , Sunsari, Friends Club, Tribhuwan Club and Sankata  have made their way into the second round of the Khukuri Gold Cup soccer tournament to be held in Kathmandu from next week.

In matches played Narayangarh today, Friends Club and Sunsari beat their rivals to enter the second rounds.  In the final games of group C, Friends Club emerged victorious beating Jhapa through the golden goal. In a closely fought match, Friends’ Bill Tamang hit home the golden goal in the 10th minute of the extra-time that sealed the fate of the rival Jhapa.

In another closely fought battle, Sunsari’s Shyam Manandhar hit the lone decider in the 26th minute of the second half ensure his team’s place in the second phase of the tournament in Kathmandu. Both Sunsari and Parsa played a goal-less draw in the first half.

Meanwhile, in the final game of the first phase played in Nepalganj, Tribhuwan Club of Royal Nepal Army booked a berth in the second round by beating Kathmandu Club 4-1. However it was the Kathmandu Club that took the lead through Amrit Bajracharya’s 12th minute strike. After having conceded a goal, the armymen took control over the game but they had to wait until 36th minute when Adarsha Malla hit home the equaliser for them.

After being locked to 1-1 till the lemon break, the armymen regrouped and made easy outings in the rivals’ area. Ashok Thapa Magar gave his team lead in the 60th minute by scoring from a Saila Maharjan pass outside the penalty area. Darkash Thapa added the third one from a long-range shot while the final goal came from Saila Maharjan just before the final whistle of the referee.

In the group C fixture today, Sankata Boys defeated Kaski 8-7 after the penlaty shoot-out.