Sunsari, March 21
Tribhuvan Army Football Club (TAFC) outplayed Rolling Club 4-1 and advanced to the semi-finals of the 13th Itahari Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Itahari Stadium today.
Deepak Gurung, skipper Jilespi Jung Karki, Sudil Rai and Padam Tamang netted one goal each for the departmental side, while Daddy Bamba scored the consolation goal for the Jhapa-based Rolling Club in the last quarter-final match of the tournament.
TAFC opened the scoring in the third minute when Deepak Gurung found the back of the nets from the edge of the box. Skipper Karki doubled the tally in the first half injury time following a pass from teammate Youdha Shahi.
Rai made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute after he received the ball from Dinesh Henjan and buried the ball into the goal. Babma reduced the deficit two minutes later from the spot. Rolling Club earned the penalty after Bimal Pandey handled the ball inside the box and Bamba did no mistake in converting from the spot.
Padam Tamang completed the scoring in the injury time of the match and sealed Army's victory. The two teams had faced each other in the semi-finals of the previous edition and the TAFC were the winners in that match as well.
The Armymen will face Church Boys United on Thursday for a place in the final. On Wednesday, defending champions Sagarmatha Youth Club will play against Machhindra Football Club in the first semi-final match.
TAFC coach Nabin Neupane said the boys were tired and could not put up a show as expected. "I think, it was just a 25 per cent of our strength. The THT players are tired due to busy schedule and they do not have adequate time for resting," said the former national team midfielder. "Although the firstchoice players are not in the team due to their national team duty, I am happy that the junior players are finding the back of the nets," he added.
A version of this article appears in the print on March 22, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
