Raj Kumar Ghising and Buddha Chemjong scored in either half for holders Three Star, who fixed the semifinal date with Tilottama Gold Cup winners will take on Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club on Thursday. [break]
Jawalakhel had defeated Nepal Army Club in the quarterfinal.
Former Jawalakhel striker Ghising put Three Star ahead in the 18th minute in a quick pass off Anil Ojha, who had collected it in a clever free kick from Ranjit Shrestha.
Unmarked Chemjong doubled the tally nine minutes after interval through his solo effort. Chemjong raced the ball from the center to the box, paused for a moment before hitting to send it past golvesman Sagar Gurung.
Despite making a fine start and dominating ball possession during the first few minutes of initial half, Friends failed to continue the streak and could craft a few moves, but all in vain. The first attack came from Friends in the 13th minute when Bishnu Gurung shot wide from box in a pass from Subarna Limbu. Gurung again squandered scoring opportunity in the 56th minute striking the ball above bar. Ajad Pradhan´s on target freekick in the 29th minute was punched by custodian Kiran Chemjong. The only other attractive chance Friends got was in last minute. Kushal Shrestha hit inches above bar in an open net while goalie Chemjong had gone down and was yet to get up.
Three Star took the match under control from the later part of the first half and created about half a dozen moves. Biraj Maharjan´s powerful low ball strike went inches wide in the 27th minute. Likewise, Prem Ghimire defended Biraj Maharjan´s header in an open net in the 51st minute and in the 76th minute, scorer Chemjong did not shoot in post after beating Friends goalie.
(Photo: Dipesh Shrestha)
Three Star coach Meghraj KC said that they got tough challenge from Friends. "Friends threw a tough challenge as I had expected from them," KC said. He also lauded the fitness level of his opponents.
KC´s counterpart Paras Chaudhary termed the defeat as their bad luck. "Despite getting scoring opportunities the boys were unable to utilize them as the opponents were both strong and experienced," Chaudhary said.
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