Players of Tribhuvan Army Club and Dauphins Family Club (left) of Cameroon in action during the Mugmug Jhapa Gold Cup at the Domalal Stadium grounds in Birtamod on Saturday, March 9, 2019. Photo: THT
Jhapa, March 9
Defending champions Tribhuvan Army Club defeated Dauphins Family Club of Cameroon 1-0 in the semi-finals of the Mugmug Jhapa Gold Cup here at the Domalal Stadium grounds today.
Adelphe Silo Nanga scored an own goal in the first half and that was enough for the two-time champions TAC to make it to the final for the third time. TAC will face home team Jhapa-XI Football Club in Monday’s final in a repeat of the previous edition.
Jhapa had made it to the final for the fourth straight time beating Ruslan Three Star Club 3-1 on penalties yesterday. But the home side, who lost to TAC in the first and third editions’ finals, are yet to win the trophy.
Nanga put the ball into his own nets in the 23rd minute while trying to chest down a cross from TAC skipper Bharat Khawas. TAC defeated Dauphins for the second time in semi-finals after their 1-0 victory over Aaha Rara Gold Cup in Pokhara last month.
TAC’s Tek Bahadur Budhathoki missed a sitter in the 31st minute when he shot wide in an unattended post. TAC’s Bimal Pandey was named the man of the match and he earned Rs 15,000.
Dauphins created ample scoring opportunities and attacked TAC post regularly but they could not find the back of the nets. Dauphins were included in the tournament after Pulsar Martyrs Memorial A Division League champions, Signature Manang Marshyangdi Club pulled out of the event.
At the other end, Ahanda Essah came close to levelling the scores in the 45th minute but his powerful shot was punched out by TAC goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu. Kuthu also foiled an attempt from Tina Tina in the 52nd minute, while Petnga Armel failed to score in an open net five minutes later. Petnga saw his powerful shot blocked by Kuthu in the 63rd minute.
TAC coach Chun Bahadur Thapa said the team opted defensive strategy after taking the lead. “The team could not perform as expected as a lot of players are injured,” said Thapa. “And we decided to preserve the lead rather than going for more goals,” he added. Dauphins manager Ashik Thapa Magar rued the missed opportunities. “We were ousted from the tournament as the players could not score despite creating so many chances,” he said.
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Written by Sureis
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