Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) and Jhapa XI entered the semi-finals of the Lalit Memorial U-18 Football Tournament with contrasting victories on Friday.

While Jhapa XI laboured to a 3-1 tie breaker victory over Far Western FC, TAC reigned supreme in a departmental duel against Nepal Police Club winning 2-0 with late goals in either half.

The first match of the day had to be decided through tie breakers after the regulation time ended on a 1-1 deadlock with both teams scoring late in the game. Far West were themselves to blame for the loss as they failed to convert their first three spot kicks.

Rajesh Rai, Deependra Budha and Sunil Shah missed from the spot for Far West. Skipper Sanjog Rai converted Jhapa’s first spot kick but Jeevan Gurung and Pujan Rai were off target. In the normal time, Jhapa went ahead through skipper Rai before Dipak Raj Singh Thakuri levelled the scores in the 87th.

Jhapa coach Prabesh Katuwal said his side won the match in technical aspect of the game. “They (Far West) were far superior to us in terms of physique but well behind us technically,” said Katuwal. Far West coach Yayga Shrestha was left dejected after the loss.

“Its unfortunate that we lost in the penalties. The players who missed from the spot were our best penalty takers. They had been practicing it from the time we started training but they failed today,” said Shrestha.

Later in the day, TAC bounced back in style from their 6-0 loss to Lumbini FC, in the league stage, to oust NPC. Arik Bista put TAC ahead in the first minute of first half injury time after the unmarked forward fired home from close range at a crowded NPC goal.

Dinesh Henjan sealed the victory with one minute remaining in the normal time with tight finish. NPC coach Ananta Thapa was left ruing the missed chances. “We created chances and the game went on as planned, but when you don’t score, you lose,” said Thapa.

TAC coach Chakra Tamang said the humiliating defeat inflicted by Lumbini had left his side with a lot to ponder for Friday’s game. “After the heavy defeat in the group match, the players realised that no teams should be taken lightly. They played as a unit today,” said Tamang.

In the semi-finals on Monday, Club Sankata will take on Lumbini FC and TAC will be up against Jhapa.