POKHARA: Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) beat star-studded New Road Team (NRT) 2-1 to enter the final of the eighth Aaha Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Pokhara Stadium today.

Bikarna Shrestha scored both the goals for the TAC, while Shayam Mosavi netted one for NRT. Shrestha put the Armymen ahead in the sixth minute on a pass from Bishwo Bairag Samal.

NRT levelled the scores in the 25th minute when Mosavi headed home following a free kick from Nabin Neupane. Shrestha again put TAC ahead in the 33rd minute when he converted a pass from Shiva Chaudhary and the goal turned out to be the winner.

NRT coach Diken Suwal said his players lacked coordination especially between the midfield and forward line. "The lack of coordination between the midfielders and strikers let us down despite being a better team," said Suwal. The winning coach, Raju Kaji Shakya was also not fully satisfied with his boys' performance. "The players wasted several goal scoring opportunities," said Shakya, who also admitted NRT was a better side.

Earlier, the NRT players wasted several equalising opportunities, especially in the second half that included an easy chance in the dying moments of the match. Bikarna Shrestha of TAC was named the man of the match. The TAC will face Nepal Police Club in Sunday's final, a repeat of the last year's title clash which the policemen won 5-1 with Ju Manu Rai scoring four goals alone. The NPC entered the final with a 1-0 win over Manang Marshyangdi Club on Wednesday.