National team striker Nawayug Shrestha scored a brace and Dhiraj Tamang added another as Tribhuvan Army Club eased past Saraswoti Football Club 3-1 to enter the quarter-finals of the Pokhara Cup football tournament here on Friday.

The star of Nepal’s triumphant 12th South Asian Games campaign, Shrestha opened the scoring early in the 14th minute. The Army marksman converted an acute pass from Bimal Rana to give his side the lead.

Shrestha was pivotal in Nepal’s first silverware in 23 years when they clinched the SA Games gold in Guwahati, India on February 15. He scored seven goals in the regional games including one in championship match which they won 2-1 against India.

Saraswoti squandered a chance to draw level four minutes but Susan Lama stuck just before the interval to make it 1-1. The goal woke the Armymen from the slumber as they upped their ante after the break and Shrestha almost struck again in the 47th minute. Shrestha’s powerful shot was acrobatically punched away by Saraswoti custodian Ashok Baral.

The relentless Army effort finally paid off when Tamang struck the second goal in the 60th minute. It took another 27 minutes more for the Army team to finally settle their nerves when Shrestha struck again to make it 3-1. Man-of-the-match Shrestha cut past Saraswoti FC defender Bobby before finding the nets from edge of the area.

Army coach Megh Raj KC said his team lacked proper coordination. “We missed out on scoring a few more goals due to the absence of some of our regular players. We drafted in some new players in their place which resulted into lack of coordination,” said KC.

“We were fielding almost all the new players and so it caused us a lot of problem to tackle the opponent,” said Saraswoti manager Nabin Parajuli. “Army are a tough team but still we were very much in the game until the half time,” said Parajuli who also said it was unfortunately for them to miss several scoring chances.

The Army club next play top-tier side Three Star of Lalitpur for a place in the semi-finals. Nepal Police Club will take on Nepal APF Club on Saturday.