Hetauda, January 6

Tribhuvan Army Club saw off Prime Polyclinic Bijay Youth Club of Hetauda 4-1 in extra-time and advanced to the final of the second Tuborg Hetauda Gold Cup International Invitational Football Tournament here at the Forestry University grounds today.

TAC will play against defending champions Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club in last year’s rematch in Saturday’s final. In the nail-biting semi-final match, Ajayi Martin put Bijay Youth ahead in the 88th minute.

At a time when the local team players and fans were about to celebrate the victory, TAC striker Nawayug Shrestha forced the extra time with less than a minute from final whistle.

The Armymen then bounced back to thrash the local team with two goals in the span of four minutes. Skipper Bharat Khawas put the TAC ahead in the 91st minute following a cross from Nawayug Shrestha, while Hiranya Magar extended the lead three minutes later.

Deep Lama shut any chances of the home team’s come back with a goal in the 106th minute.

Earlier, TAC’s Padam Tamang hit inches wide off the post in the eighth minute, while Nawayug Shrestha was denied several times. TAC’s Jitendra Karki denied Bijay Youth’s Peter Segun, while Sujit Budhathoki failed to give a finishing touch to Sunil Bal’s corner kick.

TAC’s Bal Krishna Shrestha was named the man-of-the-match and received Rs 3,000 from the Forestry University. TAC coach Nabin Neupane lauded his players’ efforts. “They showed patience despite being a goal down and guided the team to the final,” said Neupane.

Bijay Youth Club coach Subin Ghimire said his side faced the loss because of fatigue in players. “Our players were tired and they also failed to hold the ball at the last moment,” Ghimire added.

The winners and runners-up of the tournament, organised by Suman Bhomjan Memorial Foundation, will receive Rs 500,000 and Rs 300,000 respectively.