Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 20:

Anil Gurung and Nirajan Khadka scored their first goals for Three Star as the national league champions thrashed City Young Football Club of Dehra Dun 7-0 and entered the semi-finals of the Birthday Cup Football Tournament, here today. In the June 22 semis, Three Star will face Tribhuvan Army Club. Mahendra Police Club is the other team in last four, and will probably face MMC, who are up against West Sikkim FA on Tuesday. Anil Gurung, who made it to the starting line-up for the first time since joining Three Star before the AFC President’s Cup in May, scored a hat-trick, Surendra Tamang struck twice, Nirajan Khadka got his first goal for Three Star, and Bijay Gurung got one. Three Star took lead through Surendra Tamang in the 30th minute. Fed by Vishan Gauchan, Tamang scored the first goal through a header. Three minutes later, Tamang doubled the tally when he dodged City Young custodian Anoop. In the 51st minute, Nirajan Khadka scored on Rajesh Shahi’s corner kick.

Anil Gurung scored his first goal in the 63rd minute on Rajesh Shahi’s pass and added another

in the 80th. He completed his hat-trick in the 87th minute. Gurung’s was the first hat-trick in the tournament. In the 83rd minute, Bijay Gurung found the net following Anil Gurung’s pass.

The visitors seemed helpless infront of Three Star Club and could create just one goal-threatening move throughout the match. In the 18th minute, Sumit Thapa took a pass from Mahiya and made a powerful attempt from the edge of the area, but the ball, that got past full-length diving goalkeeper Upendra Man Singh, rebounded into play after hitting the post.