Raj Bhusal struck a late winner as Church Boys United defeated Tribhuvan Army Club 1-0 to secure their place in the semi-finals of Aaha-Rara Gold Cup football tournament at the Pokhara Stadium in Pokhara on Monday.

Bhusal rose highest in the 89th minute to nod home a pinpoint corner from Nabin Lama to send the defending champions crashing out of the competition.

The victory also avenged Church Boys’ semi-final defeat to Army in the last year’s edition and kept alive their hopes of clinching the trophy after missing out on the Budha Subba Gold Cup in Dharan.

Church Boys will face six-time champions Nepal Police Club in the last four clash on Wednesday. Police had defeated Brigade Boys in the quarters.

Church Boys had fielded two separate squads for concurrent tournaments in Pokhara and Dharan. Led by captain Serge Dicka, they overcame New Road Team 6-5 in a tense penalty shootout on Friday to book their quarter-final berth. However, their other squad suffered elimination against a different New Road Team lineup led by Ananta Tamang in Dharan on Saturday.

Samir Tamang and Rohan Karki rejoined the team in Pokhara following their campaign in Dharan and were handed starting roles by head coach Chet Narayan Shrestha. However, Karki's night ended prematurely after a 25th-minute injury forced his substitution, paving the way for Bhusal’s game-changing introduction.

Church Boys dominated the game early on and came close in the eighth minute when Milan Rai’s precise pass set up Nigerian forward Abayomi Fakunle, who squandered the opportunity by firing wide.

Army’s best chance of the first half arrived in the 29th minute when Dinesh Henjan connected with a Nirajan Dhami free-kick but sent his header over the crossbar.

After the break, Army’s Gillespye Jung Karki delivered a series of dangerous crosses. However, Dhami and Dishan Rai failed to capitalise on promising opportunities from close range.

Bhusal made his presence felt in the 57th minute, setting up Rai with an exquisite lobbed pass, only for Rai’s diving header to rattle the post.

But the midfielder took matters into his own hands in the dying moments, ensuring Church Boys’ progression with his decisive header.

Thunder Bolt North United of Sikkim and Black Bulls FC of Uzbekistan will compete in the last quarter final match on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Three Star advanced into the semi-finals with a 4-2 shootout win against Machhindra Club.