Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) inched closer to their third title in a month after reaching the Jhapa Gold Cup final on Saturday.

In the second semi-final match at the Domalal Stadium, MMC edged Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) 1-0 to set the title clash with hosts Jhapa XI. MMC had claimed Khaptad Gold Cup on January 15 in Dhangadi and followed the title with Aaha-Rara Gold Cup triumph on January 28 in Pokhara.

In an entertaining contest, Bimal Rana’s 42nd minute strike separated the two teams. African recruit Oladipo Olawale Afeez initiated the goal-move feeding Sujal Shrestha whose shot rebounded off the bar before Rana made a cool finish to sink in the decider.

MMC’s first notable attack came in the 18th minute when TAC goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu had to make a diving save to deny Sushil Lama’s powerful long range shot. Sujal also missed another opportunity when his shot was beautifully foiled by Kuthu in the 28th minute.

Kuthu was at his best when he cancelled out another goal bound shot from Lama in the 58th minute. TAC were reduced to 10 men for almost half an hour after Fifa referee Laba Khatri brandished a double yellow on Suman Aryal. MMC coach Chhiring Lhopsang Gurung said his side had to sweat a lot to go through.

“I think TAC were not up to their mark in the game and we managed to contain them,” said Gurung. His MMC counterpart Nabin Neupane, a former MMC player, said: “We created more scoring chances than MMC but we ran out of luck today,” said Neuapne.