Lumbini FC joined Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) in the quarter-finals of the Lalit Memorial U-18 Football Championship as Group ‘A’ runners-up after defeating Saraswati Youth Club 2-0 at Anfa Complex on Thursday.

Holders TAC, who were already assured of their place in the knockouts, stormed into quarter-finals maintaining their 100 percent winning record with 8-2 drubbing of Machhindra Club. The outcome meant TAC finished top of the table with maximum 12 points, five ahead of Lumbini.

New Road Team (NRT), who could have made it to last eight provided Lumbini had lost or played a draw, crashed out finishing third with six points. Saraswati (3 points) ended up at the fourth spot and Machhindra (one point) finished fifth.

TAC captain Dinesh Henjan and Dipesh Ale starred for departmental team scoring a treble each. Dipesh netted in the seventh, 25th and 30th minutes while Dinesh struck in the 39th, 60th and 90th minute. Sunil Shrestha was also on scoresheet for the departmental giants, who were also gifted an own goal. Sharad Rai netted in the 33rd minute for Machhindra and Pukar Khadka in the 52nd.

In another match, Prince Gurung fired Lumbini ahead early in the fourth minute against Saraswati before Amrit Gurung sealed the victory in the 69th minute.