Chemjong send the ball past net in the 18th minute in a pass of Anil Ojha which turned out to be the decider.[break]
Chemjong scored his sixth goal in his last six outings for Three Star. He had scored five goals in as many matches played in the British Gurkha Cup won by his team.
Three Star will now take on the winner of the match between Sahara FC UK and defending champions Nepal Police Club to be played on Tuesday.
Lack of proper finishing cost Himalayan Sherpa dearly, as the Knockout Football champions squandered ample scoring opportunities. Pukar Gahatraj´s powerful striker from box in the first half missed the target. Likewise, Orek Allan, Ugandan forward, failed to utilize Castory D Mumbara´s pass.
Himalayan Sherpa nearly leveled the scoring in the second half when Mumbara´s strike hit the woodwork in a corner of Jagjeet Shrestha. Shrestha also twice failed to send the ball past net. Goalie Kiran Chemjong of Three Star stood as Shrestha´s obstacle on one occasion and on other he hit on crossbar.
Three Star got few chances as compared to their opponents and were brilliant in utilizing the very first opportunity they got for scoring.
Three Star coach Meghraj KC lauded the opponents´ performance. "Despite putting up a good performance, opponents failed to utilize opportunities," KC said adding, the results came in their favor after they succeeded to utilize the first opportunity they got.
KC also lamented that his side couldn´t play as he had expected them to. "The team is good but they aren´t quite set in Pokhara." KC´s counterpart Upendraman Singh expressed satisfaction on his team´s performance despite the defeat. "Despite putting up good show we could not succeed as the boys failed to utilize opportunities," Singh said.
This is the sixth Aaha Gold Cup participation of Three Star who were the winners of the fifth edition.
On Monday, Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) will play against Nepal Army Club in the third quarterfinal.
Hemanta Chemjong releases ‘Sirima Siri’