Defending champions Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) entered the semi-finals of the second Mai Valley International Invitational Gold Cup football tournament with a struggling 2-1 victory over Share Football Club of Kalimpong India here on Tuesday.

National football team forward Bharat Khawas struck a 66th minute winner after Shailesh Shankar had cancelled out an eight minute lead provided by Dip Lama. In an all-departmental clash, TAC will take on Nepal APF Club for a place in the final. 

TAC were without their regulars Nawayug Shrestha and Bikesh Kuthu who are on international duty, while they also missed the services of Tek Bahadur Budhathoki, Amrit Basnet, Yudda Shahi and Bibek Pratap Panta. However, they managed to take lead inside the first 10 minutes. 

Santosh Tamang set Dip just outside the area before the forward drove past Share defenders and fired home. But the holders’ joy short-lived. Two minutes later Shankar came up with the answer heading home a corner from Basanta Rai as both teams headed into the second half with the match locked on 1-1.

Share, who recently claimed Sukunu Gold Cup and Independent Cup at home, kept piling on more pressure but it was TAC who scored against the run of play. Khawas, who is in a recovery trail, flicked a long throw-in from Deepak Gurung. 

Ishak Lepcha of Share was adjudged the man-of-the-match. TAC coach Meghraj KC was surprised by the strength of the opponent. “We were not 

expecting a team of this level. The ground was also new for most of our players and it was hard to score,” said KC.