Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) defeated Rupandehi XI 2-0 to enter the semi-finals of the Jhapa Gold Cup football tournament on Tuesday. 

Under the capacity crowd at the Domalal Stadium, national football team’s frontline duo Nawayug Shrestha and Bharat Khawas struck one goal each in the second half with Tek Bahadur Budhathoki setting them up for both the goals. 

The Armymen dominated the match from the outset against a mediocre Rupandehi side that consisted of ‘A’ Division League players. TAC had the first chance in the 15th minute when Budhathoki’s close-range header was denied by veteran goalkeeper Dilip Chhetri in the 15th minute. 

Khawas was unlucky when his powerful header hit the woodworks in the 23rd minute. Padam Tamang displayed some good dribbling skills before making neat cross towards Rupandehi goal but found no teammates to make a finish in the 27th minute. Four minutes later, Khawas missed a sitter from the area as both teams headed into the second half with a goalless draw.

Rupandehi’s first attack at the frame came five minutes after resumption but Anil Gurung’s powerful shot went inches wide off the post. Deepak Rai’s curling free kick was then easily foiled by TAC custodian Bikesh Kuthu in the 53rd minute. 

The deadlock was finally broken in the 60th minute after Shrestha received a pass from Budhathoki inside the box and fired home easily. As Rupandehi were seeking for an equaliser, TAC made the task more difficult for them after Khawas scored from a close range on a cross from Budhathoki.

TAC coach Nabin Neupane said it was mission accomplished for his side. “Rupandehi had a good set of players and we had planned to dispossess them and the plan worked for us. We missed few chances in the first half but the end result has satisfied me,” said Neupane. 

Rupandehi coach Dayaram Sapkota said his side lacked proper players in the midfield. “I don’t think we did well in the midfield because our players were yet to play as a team despite looking good as individual players,” said Sapkota.