Gurung shines as Three Star thrash Sikkim

Pokhara, February 25

Anil Gurung scored a hat-trick as Ruslan Three Star Club thrashed United Sikkim Football Club 5-2 in the quarter-final match of the 17th Aaha Rara Gold Cup here at the Pokhara Stadium grounds today.

Ajayi Martins netted one goal for Three Star, who were also gifted with an own goal from Jigmi Dorjee Bhutia, while Sonam Tsering Bhutia and Ong Tsering Lepcha scored one goal apiece for the visiting team. Three Star will now face Nepal APF Club in the semi-final match.

Gurung opened the scoring in his home town when he converted from the spot in the 27th minute. Three Star earned the penalty after Sikkim defender Sanjay Chhetri brought down Sushil Rai inside the danger zone. Three Star doubled the lead in the 51st minute when Sikkim defender Jigmi Dorjee Bhutia scored an own goal, while Martins made it 3-0 in the 70th minute beating Simmim goalkeeper Urgen Pintso Sherpa.

Three Star earned another penalty in the 81st minute after Mobin Rai fouled Gurung inside the d-box and the former national team striker did no mistake in scoring his second goal of the match. Gurung then completed his hat-trick four minutes later when he slotted home from the box following a pass from Martins to make it 5-0.

Sikkim the struck twice but it was too later for them to stage a comeback. Sonam Tsering Bhutia pulled one back in the 89th minute with a header from the penalty box, while Ong Tsering Lepcha converted from the spot after Ananta Tamang handled the ball inside the penalty area in the third minute of the injury time.

Three Star coach Meghraj KC said the two penalties and an own goal helped the team register easy win. “Sikkim performed well but we were able to put them under pressure after the first penalty,” said KC, whose side finished as runners-up in the Jigme Dorjee Wangchuk Memorial Gold Cup Football Tournament in Phuntsholing, Bhutan last week.

Sikkim coach Mayal Dok Lepcha said his players did many mistakes in the match. “We conceded unnecessary goals because of our own mistakes and the team came under early pressure after the penalty which was awarded for a soft foul,” said Lepcha. “We knew Three Star were a strong club but the players committed too many errors,” he added.

On Tuesday, Nepal Police Club will take on Dauphins Family Club of Cameroon in the last quarter-final match of the tournament in a re-match of 21st Tilottama Gold Cup final. Dauphins claimed third title in their first Nepal visit with a sudden death victory over the departmental side on Monday.

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