Kathmandu,  Mar 14: Tribhuban Club  (TC) sealed their  spot in  the semis with 2-1 win over Ranipokhari Corner team (RCT) while Friends’ Club  of Kupondole (FC) continued to maintain the winning spree  by  defeating Sunsari 3-2 in the last leg of the of  the league cum knock- out in the ongoing Khukuri Soccer championship at the National Dashrath Stadium, Tuesday.

TC needed to win or draw to reach into the semifinals, surged into the attack  from the start  against RCT and took a 4th minute lead through  Surendra Shrestha. Shrestha slammed home from the striking  zone through a cross from Adarsha Malla’s  off a spot kick a little  outside the area.

Self shocked RCT went all out for to level up the score but due to the lack of combination of the front strikers and  due to poor game built their moves failed to make moves deep into the rival’s post.

Riding high in the lead, TC made more aggressive moves into the RCT defence line and they seemed to be enlarging the margin in any  time. As expected Saila Maharjan took the charge in  the front along with Suk Bahadur Gurung and Adarsha Malla and  were equally supported  from the midfielders to launch attacks.

The RCT looked vulnerable in the defence and they even failed to clear the ball from their  half  as TC pressed in to widen the margin. Saila Maharjan consolidated the lead in the 30th minute. Saila picked up a deflected  shot from keeper and turned superbly to steer the ball low past keeper Mirgendra Mishra too keep  TC well for the title hunt.

Though RCT within a minute missed golden opportunity to  curtail the lead  but Nirajan Rayamajhi ‘s penalty shot  missed the target. RCT was awarded a penalty shot for rough tackle on Rayamajhi by  Kedar  inside the striking zone.

However, in the 38th minute, Madhu Karki curtailed the lead through cross from the right, giving a much needed boost for RCT supporters. Both the teams exchanged attacks in each other goalposts but both the teams failed  to make any headway’s.

After the lemon break, RCT displayed better performance and  managed to  make raids in the rival’s post. In the 8th minute, Madhu Karki nearly level the score but his shot kissed the bar denying RCT the much needed goal. As the time flew by both the teams failed to cash in the given opportunities. Saila from the TC had chances to widen the margin while Ritesh , the late  substitute failed  for RCT. In the 38th minute, Deepak Limbu of RCT was marched out from the ground for rough tackle leaving the RCT with ten men squad.

Friends’ Club of Kupondole (FC) after going down two goals in the first-half came  from behind to beat Sunsari . Sunsari  taking a charge from the onset of the game took a lead in the 41st minute through  Surendra Tamang and had consolidated the lead with the help Tamang by  Ganesh Limbu within four minutes.

FC dominated the show today also but inept shooting and ill-directed passes stood in their way in the first-half. Bill Tamang, Sukra Tamang and Aman Adhikari came close to the striking but failed to capitalise on the opportunities.

On the other hand, Sunsari displayed more organised game than the rival’s. Despite of knowing that even the win would not let them anywhere in the tournament. Being booked in the semis, FC failed to keep up with same rhythm as they were poorly let down by the defence and strikers.

Though in the second-half, they surged ahead with through  goal  within a two minutes of play through Bill Tamang . In the 30th minute Shushil KC level the  score and again  within three minutes latter  Shushi KC l took the team to a lead.

With the today’s win, FC topped their group and will now face Mahendra Police Club on Thursday in the second semis.