Dhiroj Tamang and African recruit Sequn Akinade Eyitayo scored in either half for Sherpa to set up a last-eight meeting with Nepal Army.[break]
Man-of-the-match Tamang gave Sherpa an early breakthrough in the 25th minute as he scored at the far post in a Pukar Gahatraj pass. Eyitayo doubled the advantage from the six-yard box 13 minutes into the second half.
Sherpa took the match under control from the beginning and came close to scoring as early as in the 13th minute, but Eyitayo´s scorcher from the area in Bishwas Shrestha´s pass sailed above the bar. The African missed another opportunity during the half-hour mark.
In the 66th, Sherpa squandered a golden chance to go 3-0 up. Pukar Gahatraj collected a rebounder off the post only to shoot wide after Krishna Lama´s freekick and Tamang´s header were denied by the woodwork.
Yeti, the visiting side from Australia, also created a few chances but failed to convert them into goals. In the 27th, Binan Hona was denied in a one-on-one situation as custodian Sagar Gurung made a diving save to prevent him from scoring. In the 67th, Bijay Gurung shot wide from the area.
Yeti FC coach Prawesh KC said his side was defeated as it failed to utilize the few chances they created and also due to lack of strikers. "Besides the lack of strikers, the players also failed to acclimatize in Pokhara," said KC, whose side arrived in Pokhara on Monday.
According to KC, Yeti is an amateur team formed after assembling Nepali youths in Australia. "We play social amateur league in Australia and are not a high-level team. We arrived after the host invited us and are pleased to play here."
Sherpa coach Bikash Gauchan said his team achieved victory as they played with caution. He added that his side played better in the second half. "The opponents could not acclimatize in Pokhara and also failed to take advantage of their height," Gauchan said.
"We have been training regularly since the Gurkha Cup some six months ago and so it was easy for us to play," said Gauchan, who had been in charge of the team since the tournament.
Host Pokhara XI takes on Armed Police Force (APF) on Thursday.
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