The sparkling performance brushed aside NPC’s battling win over tournament minnows Rupandehi XI in the previous round where they needed sudden-death penalty shootout to overcome their opponents. Jumanu gave NPC an early eight minute lead. The Police and national team marksman’s headed attempt on goal following a cross from Hem Tamang rebounded of the upright. But the forward followed up the rebound to score past the TAC custodian Sushil Shrivastav.

The Policemen kept pressure on Army team, who were directly drawn into the quarter-finals, throughout the game and should have double their lead in the 22nd minute. But an alert TAC keeper Shrivastav denied Jumanu his second goal.

The closest TAC came to scoring a goal was when Raju Gurung’s shot sailed high above the cross bar in the 28th minute. Any hopes of TAC comeback was effectively ended when Nir Kumar added the second goal in the 54th minute.

Nir Kumar found the back of the net with his shot from edge of the area. Dipen Shrestha of NPC was adjudged man-of-the-match. NPC will now take on defending champions Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) in semi-finals.

NPC coach Birat Krishna Shrestha his side was able to dictate the game because their opponents could hardly find their feet in their first game. “We were in the similar position in our first game against Rupandehi. They (TAC) are a very good team but were out of sorts in their first match,” said the NPC coach. Shrestha added that they require different strategy in the semi-final clash with MMC.

Shrestha’s TAC counterpart Megh Raj KC said his team was much better than how they performed on Sunday. “We were sluggish after conceding an early goal,” said KC. Nepal Armed Police Force  Club will take on Everest Club, Hong Kong on Monday.