A late goal from Rupesh KC gave Three Star Club 1-0 victory over Chyasal Youth Club and a place in the semi-finals of the Khaptad Gold Cup football tournament in Dhangadhi on Monday. 

Midfielder KC netted the decisive goal three minutes from time to beat their Lalitpur neighbours just as the match appeared to be heading towards extra-time. 

Three Star will meet Mechi Netralaya Football Training Centre of Kakarvitta on Wednesday for a place in the final.

The evenly contested affair saw both the Lalitpur-based teams play with attacking intent. Chyasal goalie Dinesh Thapa Magar punched out a Fode Fofana attempt early in the seventh minute. Chyasal responded with Hemanta Thapa Magar rattled his freekick in the 19th minute.

Chyasal survived a scare in the 28th minute when a shot from Sunil Bal rebounded off the inner edge of the bar. Chyasal custodian Thapa Magar then safely negotiated a 25-yard shot from Tamang in the 39th minute. Chyasal should have taken the lead in the 58th minute only for Santa Bahadur Gurung shooting wide of the target having retrieved a rebound off Ananta Tamang.

Nine minutes from time Three Star also hit the woodwork as Ranjan Bista watched in disbelief as his attempt rebounded of the bar. Despite the see-saw nature of the game, Rupesh KC finally struck all-important goal for Three Star, heading hom a Bal cross in the 87th minute. KC was declared man-of-the-match.  

Three Star coach Ujjwal Manandhar credited the win to hard work of his players. “We failed to perform in the recently concluded ‘A’ Division League and came here by bolstering our defence,” said Manandhar of his team who finished third in the top-tier league. “We will try to give continuity to the winning momentum in upcoming matches,” added Manandhar.  

Sankata Club will take on Daphinas FC of Cameroon on Tuesday. Organised by the Far West Football Club, the tournament offers Rs 2.1 million to the champions and Rs 1 million to the runners-up.