Departmental giants Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) hammered Mechi Netralaya Kakarvitta 4-1 to storm into the final of Madan Bhandari Memorial Itahari Gold Cup football tournament on Wednesday.

Army were gifted an own goal in the early first half and they went into the break with 2-0 cushion after Santosh Tamang netted deep in the first half. Bivek Basnet and Bharat Khawas were on target for departmental team after the break as Khamir Gilson Kandangwa bit back a consolation goal for Kakarvitta.

On their way to the third title match in three weeks, Army will meet the winners of the match between Nepal Police Club and Manang Marshyangdi Club on Saturday. In the last two weekends, Army claimed the title of Bishal Gold Cup and finished runners-up in the Simara Gold Cup.

The entertaining match saw Army start with offensive approach and their pressure game resulted in Kakarvitta conceding an own goal in the 10th minute. Olu Sola inadvertently scored into his own post in an attempt to clear midfielder Tamang’s attempt. Kakarvitta survived another scare in the 18th minute only for their defenders to foil Santosh Tamang’s shot.

Kakarvitta’s first real chance came in the 31st minute when Tanak Gurung’s strike was punched to safety by Army goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu. The custodian also made a valiant save in the 33rd to deny Nirajan Khadka in the 33rd minute. The Army club wasted a scoring chance in the 40th minute as Suman Aryal shot off target in one-on-one with goalie Deep Karki.

However, Army doubled their advantage just before the break as Tamang converted a Khawas pass from the area. Kakarvitta upped their ante after the break and created frequent chances but it was Army to create yet another chance on goal when Bharat Khawas forced goalie Karki for a diving save in the 58th minute. Army substitute Bivek Basnet struck in 62nd minute capitalising on a pass from skipper Khawas to make it 3-0.

Although Kakarvitta cut the deficit two minutes later through Kandangwa, Army forward Khawas sealed a comprehensive win scoring in the stoppage time. Army midfielder Tamang was declared man-of-the-match.