Pokhara, Feb. 7 -- Thunderbolt North United, a visiting side from Sikkim, India, defeated two-time champions Sankata Club 3-1 on Friday to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the 24th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup.

The match played at Pokhara Stadium saw Franklin Quete Tala, Karan Rai, and Adarsha Tamang netting crucial goals for Thunderbolt, while Sankata's Manish Paudel managed a consolation strike.

Sankata drew first blood in the 17th minute when Manish Paudel scored on a pass from Pasang Lama. However, Thunderbolt responded in the 35th minute as Franklin Quete Tala converted a penalty, leaving Sankata's goalkeeper Deep Karki with no chance. The teams went into halftime level at 1-1, but Thunderbolt turned up the heat in the second half....