Bara, February 14

Ruslan Three Star Club defeated Morang Football Club 4-2 and advanced to the final of the ninth Ruslan Simara Gold Cup Football Tournament here today.

Sunil Bal scored a brace, while Bishnu Gurung and Ananta Tamang netted a goal each for Three Star. Karna Limbu scored both the goals for Morang at the Simara Stadium.

The second semi-final match will be played between Tribhuvan Army Club and Birgunj United Club on Thursday and the winners of the match will play against Three Star in Saturday’s final.

Gurung opened the scoring for Three Star in the 23rd minute utilising a pass from Sunil Bal, while Bal doubled the tally in the 35th minute scoring from the edge of the box.

Bal made it 3-0 in the 49th minute from the box following a pass from Nirajan Khadka. Tamang headed home on Nirajan Khadka’s corner kick to extend the lead to 4-0 in the 77th minute.

Three Star coach Meghraj KC replaced goalkeeper Alan Neupane with Abhishek Baral in the 80th minute and Morang cut the deficit one minute later. Limbu found the back of the nets from the box in the 81st minute and added one more in the 84th minute but the damage was already done and they failed to avert the defeat. Three Star’s Bal was named the man-of-the-match.

Three Star coach Meghraj KC said he was happy with the victory. “We conceded two goals after replacing the goalkeeper, but I am happy with the way team performed today,” said KC.

Morang coach Paras Chaudhary said his side lost the match after conceding two quick goals in the first half. “Our players failed to convert the scoring chances despite putting up a fighting game against Three Star. Scoring two goals at the last moment gave us satisfaction,” said Chaudhary.