Three Star Club defeated Sankata Club 2-0 to advance into the semi-finals of Simara Gold Cup football tournament at the Simara Stadium on Tuesday.

Three Star, the runners-up of Khaptad Gold Cup in Dhangadhi on Saturday, also avenged a 2-0 defeat suffered against Sankata in the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League match played on January 2. Three Star took a 13th minute lead through Guinean striker Fode Fofana before sealing their victory in the 85th with second goal from Sushan Shrestha. Shrestha only appeared as a second half substitute for Fofana. Nirajan Khadka, released by Three Star after the ‘A’ Division League that concluded on January 8, appeared in Sankata jersey against his former team. Three Star defender Adama Doumbia was declared man-of-the-match and won Rs 10,000.

Sankata coach Salyan Khadgi said his team failed to meet his expectations. “Three Star played really well and we failed to come back after conceding an early goal,” said Khadgi. Three Star coach Meghraj KC was satisfied with the victory despite seeing his team play well below their standard. “The boys failed to perform to their potential. We have included some new faces in the team after league and they are yet to gel as a team,” said KC. 

Hosts Nawa Janajagriti Youth Club will take on defending champions Tribhuvan Army Club in the first semi-final match on Wednesday. The tournament, which ends on Saturday, offers Rs 600,000 to the champions and Rs 300,000 to the runners-up.  

Army thump BFC Chitwan 5-1

Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) thumped BFC Chitwan 5-1 to storm into the final of the second National Bagmati Gold Cup football tournament in Faparbadi of Bagmati Municipality. The one-sided affair saw Bikram Bishankhe of the departmental team net all the five goals. Sunil Shrestha pulled back a consolation goal for BFC. Man-of-the-match Bishankhe opened the scoring in the 11th minute, added the second in the 34th before completing his hat-trick in the 61st minute. He scored two more goals in the 78th and 80th minute. Bishankhe also became the first player to net hat-trick in the tournament. Army will meet the winners of the match between Saraswoti Club and Makawanpur XI in the final on Friday. (PR)