GANGTOK: Defending champions Nabil Three Star will take on George Telegraph in the Governor’s Gold Cup football tournament quarter-finals at the Palzor Stadium in Gangtok on Thursday.

Given a friendly match win over Jhapa ahead of their departure to Sikkim, the team’s morale is sky high. As usual, Three Star will be boosted by the crowd support here apart from the strong playing lineup. Drawn directly in the last eight, the Lalitpur-based club, however, would have to give their best to retain the championship trophy. Coach Upendra Man Singh believes his team is the best in every department but still warned his players not to take George Telegraph lightly, who entered the quarter-finals scoring five goals against the Tata Academy. Three Star captain Surendra Tamang was also full of confidence. “We are here to defend the title and we will return home with the trophy,” said Tamang.

Three Star have sought the services of NRT players Biraj Maharjan and Sagar Thapa to strengthen their squad in the absence of defender Lok Bandhu Gurung. “Since we have set players in our squad, we are certain to retain the trophy,” said another coach Bal Gopal Maharjan.

The reliable midfielder Sandeep Rai can probably find his place in the starting lineup despite sustaining injury during the friendly match in Jhapa. Rai participated with his teammates during the practice here today. Meanwhile, midfielder Bishan Gauchan is almost certain to miss the quarter-final match after picking up injury during the friendly match against Jhapa-XI.