Three Star Club entered the semi-finals of the Jhapa Gold Cup with a 1-0 slim victory over Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club here at the Domalal Rajbanshi Stadium on Monday.

Segun Eyitayo struck a late winner to put Three Star in the semis. The Lalitpur-based ‘A’ Division outfit will on Wednesday take on local favourite Jhapa XI for a place in the final. Both teams failed to break the deadlock in first 45 minutes although they created adequate scoring chances missing out on all occasions. Skipper Ganesh Lawati and Ranjan Bista wasted opportunities in the first half.

At the other end, Bijay Dhimal, Deepak Rai, Rajin Dhimal, Prakash Budhathoki and Nirajan Khadka missed their chances from Three Star. Eyitayo replaced Budhathoki in the second half and that was when Three Star began to grip the game exerting constant pressure.

Eyitayo missed the first two chances he got in the game but was spot on in the 87th minute with the African recruit making the most of a cross from Khadka before firing home. The late goal hardly gave APF any chance to fight back in the game.

APF coach Sushil Adhikari blamed assistant referee Nani Ram Thapa Magar for awarding Three Star an offside goal. “That was not a goal. It was a clear offside ball,” said Adhikari. Three Star coach Sanjib Budhathoki said it was tough to play against APF.

“They are an in-form team. We wasted few scoring chances but fortune favoured us today,” said Budhathoki who guided the club to a maiden National League title last year.On Tuesday, Manang Marshyangdi Club will take on Rupandehi XI.