Lama struck the decider in the 62nd minute, the forward piercing through two Sankata defense before blasting a 25-yard shot past advancing Army skipper and keeper Bikash Malla. The Army club paid the price for their near misses on number of occasions.

TAC forward Bharat Khawas failed to head in a long pass from Deepak Gurung in the 38th minute while Nawayug Shrestha’s header was cleared by Sankata goalie Raju Yogi in the 40th minute.

Luck also deserted the Armymen in the 41st minute as Gurung found the woodwork before Tanka Basnet was unable to put the ball into the nets in rebound.

Sankata defender Raju Silwal nearly conceded an own goal in an attempt to clear Gurung’s shot in the first half injury time. But Sankata custodian Yogi was in right place to clear the goal-bound ball. Yogi once again prevented Sankata from conceding an own goal in the 59th minute when an attempted clearance from Sajeev Karki on Badal Ghising shot deflected towards the goalmouth.

Sankata also had fair number of scoring opportunities in the first half, notably in the 15th minute when TAC goalkeeper Malla punched out Uttam Gurung’s freekick from the edge of the area. An error of judgement from goalie Malla almost cost TAC dear two minute later. Malla rushed forward to intercept charging Sankata forward Sarfo Elvis Appiah but could somehow deflect the ball to safety.

Sankata coach Bijay Maharjan hailed his boys for keeping their cool against a formidable foe and was already looking forward to the title match. “Army are a strong team and to beat them in the semi-finals was not going to be easy,” said Maharjan. “But our boys pulled it off extremely well. If we play to our potential we can lift the trophy.”

TAC coach Megh Raj KC said his boys took the opposition too lightly. “I believe after beating Nepal Police Club in the first match our boys must have thought they would easily overcome Sankata,” KC added. The final is slated for Wednesday at the same venue.