BARA: Two A Division sides Tribhuvan Army Club and Ruslan Three Star are set to battle for the title of the Ruslan ninth Simara Gold Cup Football Tournament on Saturday.

The summit clash between last edition’s runner-up TAC and Three Star will be held at Simara Stadium. The winner of the tournament will bag a purse of Rs 551,000 while the runner-up will be rewarded with Rs 250,000.

To book their places in the final, Three Star overcome Morang Football Club 4-2 in the first semi-final clash where as TAC defeated Birgunj Youth United 3-0 in other.

TAC who had clinched the title of sixth edition of the tournament had lost the final to CMG Club Sankata last year is aiming to overcome strong Three Star. Before beating BYU in the semi-finals, TAC had overcome Armed Police Force 4-0 in their first match.

Likewise, Three Star had beaten Far-west XI in quarter-finals encounter to secure their berth in last four.

Speaking during the pre-match conference on Friday, TAC coach Nabin Neupane said that the final against Three Star will be 50-50 affair.

“Both teams are on similar level so the match will be 50-50. We will have to utilize the chances to outclass them,” said coach Neupane.

TAC skipper Bharat Khawas said that winning the last two matches with big margins has boosted the confidence of his team. “We have managed to score enough goals in this tournament so our confidence is high. We came here to win this competition and confident of achieving our target,” said national team forward Khawas.

Meanwhile, Three Star coach Megh Raj KC said that his team is ready to face any team in the final. “Although the key players are tired but we are confident of delivering string performance tomorrow because we have equally talented players on the bench,” said former TAC coach KC.

TAC is enjoying strong form this season as Nabin Neupane’s side have won four knock-out tournaments out of eight they have participated so far. Armymen have lifted the titles of Bishal Memorial Gold Cup, Satakshi Gold Cup, Kakadbhitta Gold Cup and Khaptad Gold Cup.

Lalitpur-based outfit Three Star who made comeback to the domestic football from Khaptad Gold Cup, after 14-month long absence, has clinched the trophies of Madan Bhandari Memorial Itahari Gold Cup and Budha Subba Gold Cup.