Sunsari, January 30

Tribhuwan Army Club advanced to the final of the Madan Bhandari Memorial Itahari Gold Cup here today.

In the first semi-final match, the departmental side thrashed Mechi Netralaya Kakarvitta Football Training Centre 4-1. TAC will play against the winners of Thursday’s second semi-final match between Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club and Nepal Police Club. The final is slated for Saturday.

Kakarvitta put themselves under early pressure after an own goal from their foreign recruit Olu Sola Kadir. Kadir headed the ball back to his goalkeeper Deep Karki but unfortunately the ball slipped into the post in the 10th minute.

The moffusal team tried hard for an equaliser against the departmental side but they could not find one. Instead, the armymen doubled the lead in the first minute of the first half injury time after Santosh Tamang slotted the ball into the post from danger zone.

At a time when Kakarvitta were pushing for a goal, TAC’s Bibek Basnet made it 3-0 to put more pressure on Kakarvitta. Khamir Gilsan Kandangwa reduced the deficit but that turned out to be a consolation goal for Kakarvitta.

TAC skipper Bharat Khawas completed the scoring with a goal in the dying moments of the match. Santosh Tamanag of TAC was named the man of the match.