Surendra Tamang scored hat trick taking the Nabil Three Star Club to 3-0 victory over Armed Police Force (APF) in Sunday’s match of the 9th Budha Subba Gold Cup Football Tournament in Dharan. With the victory, the NTSC entered the semifinal of the tournament.

NTSC that won the 5th Aha Gold Cup two weeks back arrived in Dharan via air to lock horns against cops and started the game giving pressure relentlessly. Vishan Gauchan crossed to Surendra Tamang on the right flank in the early 6th minute but Tamang’s superb header was excellently saved by APF goalie Min Bahadur Basnet.

But NTSC took early lead in the 10th minute through Surendra Tamang who capitalised the free kick shot by Sandip Rai. Tamang was totally unmarked inside the 10-yard box to topple APF vigor within the early minutes.

APF had some chances in the first half but Sunil Subedi, skipper Kumar Thapa squandered those chances to go for lemon break going down with 0-1.

After the lemon break, APF nearly leveled the score just after a minute through Santosh Sahukhala but his curling shot was outstandingly saved by rookie goalie Sanjib Shrestha. APF tried their best to come back on track but their chances were just being missed as Sahukhala squandered a brilliant one in the 63rd minute. He shot wide from the pole.

NTSC doubled the tally in the 77th minute through Tamang when he utilised the pin point pass from Pradeep Maharjan. However, APF could have twisted the story but Santosh Shahukhala hit the woodwork in the 81st minute.

Surendra Tamang completed his hat trick in the 83rd minute to seal the match capitalising the mistake APF goalie Min Bahadur Basent made.

On Monday, Sahara Club, Pokhara will take on Tribhuwan Army Club in the third quarterfinal.