Gurkha Cup, which was called British Gurkha Cup in its previous three editions, has featured only three clubs in the finals so far. Laxmi Bank Three Star Club had defeated Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) in the finals of the first two editions while Nepal Police Club had beaten Three Star in the final of last edition. [break]
However, the tournament this year will get a new finalist in Army Club or Boys Union on Wednesday. Three Star and MMC will face each other in the second semifinal on Thursday.
Army Club has emerged as the tournament favorite after defeating defending champion Nepal Police Club in the quarterfinal and putting up a more coordinated and improved performance with each match.
However, the newly-promoted Boys Union could be a tough nut to crack for Army Club. Boys Union edged past NIBL Friends Club and McDowell´s Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) en route to the semifinals.
Boys Union has reached the semifinals of any football tournament for the first time in 31 years and this historical achievement has boosted the team´s confidence. It had last played in a semifinal in 2039 BS during the Shubhajanmotsav Cup.
"It is a great success for us to reach the semifinals of the first tournament after returning to A division and we are expecting a good result against Army," said Boys Union coach Bijay Maharjan. "However, we are aware of Army. Army is the most dangerous team in the tournament. Army is the best performer of the tournament. It would be a tough task for us to upset them," he added.
Army Club has not conceded a single goal so far in the ongoing tournament but its coach Yogambar Suwal is in no mood to take the opponent lightly. "Every opponent is equal for us. We cannot rate a semifinalist as a weaker side. A weak side cannot reach the semifinals. We´ll take Boys Union seriously," said Suwal.
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