Pokhara, Feb. 7 -- Division League champions Church Boys United progressed into the quarter-finals of the Aaha-Rara Gold Cup football tournament after they defeated New Road Team (NRT) 6-5 in a tense penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time at the Pokhara Stadium in Pokhara on Thursday.

Goalkeeper Tikendra Thapa emerged as the hero for Church Boys, delivering a match-winning performance in the shootout.

After a sudden death was forced following misses from Church Boys' Sakal Regmi and NRT's Anjal Maharjan in the penalty, Thapa converted one himself and produced stunning saves to deny Janma Jay Dhami, Richard Wilson and Michael Magar to seal a thrilling victory.

NRT goalkeeper Bishal Sunar also displayed remarkable resilie...