Makawanpur, February 22

Nepal Police Club defeated CMG Club Sankata 2-0 and advanced to the final of the third Hetauda Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Institute of Forestry grounds today.

Dinesh Rajbanshi and Nir Kumar Rai scored in either half as NPC made it to the final where they will face departmental rivals Tribhuvan Army Club n Saturday. TAC had made it to the final beating Ruslan Three Star Club yesterday.

Rajbanshi opened the scoring for NPC when he headed home from close in the 19th minute. NPC doubled the tally in the 53rd minute. Rajbanshi came close to scoring his second goal in the 43rd minute but he ended up with a wide shot.

NPC custodial Satrughan Chaudhary punched out a powerful strike from Bishwo Adhikari in the second half. Nir Kumar Rai of NPC won the man-of-the-match award along with Rs 5,000.

NPC coach Ananta Raj Thapa was happy with the overall performance of his players. “The boys played as per the team plan and the match was one of the best regardless of the result,” said the former national team midfielder.

A total of eight teams are taking part in the tournament organised by Suman Bhomjan Memorial Sports Foundation in memory of sports journalist Suman Bhomjan, who was killed in the devastating earthquake two years ago.