Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 15:

Skipper Janamat Karki struck twice as Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) defeated United Kurs-eong Football Club (UKFC) 5-1 in the day’s match of the Birthday Cup Football Tournament, which has been organised by ANFA today. TAC entered the quarter-final and will face Boys Union Club on June 17.

TAC took lead through Mahendra Khawas in the 29th minute when he fired the ball into the net following Hari Bahadur Mahato’s cross from the right flank. In the 45th minute, Shiva Chaudhary of TAC doubled the tally beating Kurseong goalkeeper Joy Dey.

Kurseong reduced the margin to 2-1 through Jiten Rai’s penalty in the 48th minute. The UKFC earned the spot kick after Daimoj Dhimal of TAC handled the ball inside the D-Box on Jiten Rai’s attempt.

Four minutes later, TAC skipper Karki scored on a rebound from a close range to make it 3-1. Kurseong goalkeeper Joy Dey blocked Santosh Nepal’s attempt, but the ball went to unmarked Janamat Karki and the Armymen skipper buried the ball with his right foot from the close range.

Karki scored his second and his team’s fourth goal in the 34th minute following a pass from his playmaker Mahendra Khawas. The armymen completed the rout in the injury time of the match through Hari Bahadur Mahato, who capitalised on loose defence by the visiting team to seal the victory.

Referee Laba Khatri, who made his debut in ‘A’ Division today, cautioned Kurseong’s Prem Rai and Sisir Karthak and TAC’s goalkeeper Ful Bahadur Lama and Daimoj Dhimal with yellow cards. On Thursday, NRT will take on Three Star Club.