National team prolific scorer Nawayug Shrestha scored one goal and created the other as Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) swept aside Sankata Club 2-0 to enter the semi-finals of the second Hetauda Gold Cup football tournament here on Wednesday.

In the last quarter-final match of the tournament, Dip Lama was the other scorer for he departmental side, easing his team’s passage into the last four. TAC will now meet Vijay Youth Club of Hetauda on Friday. On Thursday, Manang Marshyangdi Club and Sahara Club of Pokhara will lock horns in the first semi-final.

Army took the lead in the 40th minute with Shrestha producing a flicked header to guide Suman Aryal’s freekick into the nets leaving Sankata custodian Bishal Shrestha with hardly any time to react. Shrestha then turned provider setting up for Lama, whose powerful shot beat Shrestha. Santosh Tamang of TAC was adjudged the man-of-the-match.

TAC coach Nabin Neupane was not satisfied with his team’s performance despite the victory blaming their sluggishness to a load of tournament schedules. “Footballers are playing continuously without getting any recovery time. Its better if the tournaments outside Kathmandu Valley are organised in a span of a week,” said the former national team player.

“Our key players including Bharat Khawas and Nawayug are not performing to their potentials because they have hardly rested after competing in different tournaments. I think the same thing happened to Sankata players,” added Neupane. Sankata had come into the match after their overnight elimination from Kakarbhitta Gold Cup in Hetauda.

Sankata coach Shailesh Karmacharya had reasons for the team’s defeat. “We came here on the match day and its obvious we cannot get the best out of them with no time to rest,” said Karmacharya.

Karna treble steers Jhapa into final

KAKARBHITTA: Striker Karna Limbu struck a hat-trick as Jhapa XI entered the final of the Kakarbhitta Gold Cup football tournament with a 4-0 hammering of Rupandehi XI. Yogesh Gurung put Jhapa ahead in the 26th minute. Rupandehi were reduced to 10 men after Fifa referee Lava Khatri brandished a red card on Armond after he was adjudged to have brought down Rajin Dhimal. Jhapa, particularly Karna, took full numerical advantage striking in the 51st, 75th and 77th minutes to seal a comprehensive win for the local side. Rupandehi created several opportunities but missed out on all occasions.

Taplejung enter last four

PHIDIM: Karna Singh Smriti Club of Taplejung crushed Church Boys Club of Kathmandu 6-1 to enter the semi-finals of the eighth Falgunanda Gold Cup football tournament on Wednesday. African recruit Peter Segun completed a hat-trick in his side’s emphatic victory, while Sunil Bal scored a brace and Nirajan Khadka added the other. Church Boys were the surprised leaders in the game who went ahead through a 16th minute goal from Ajayi Martins Kayote. Birta United Club of Jhapa and hosts Phidim Sporting Club will meet in the first semi-final on Thursday. Taplejung will play Eleven Arrows of Sunsari on Friday.