In the first semifinal of the tournament, Three Star had earlier come from behind to cancel Jawalakhel´s first-half lead. Supersub Anil Gurung was the hero in Three Star´s victory as he scored the first goal and set up the second. [break]
Gurung, who came in as a 32nd minute replacement for Michael Collins, leveled the scores in the 62nd minute in a corner taken by Rabi Thapa Magar. Earlier, Kanya Gurung had put Jawalakhel ahead in the 20th minute when he headed home in a cross from Thomas Wangira Biket. Gurung was later adjuged the man of the match.
Sierra Leone forward Adewumi Femi, who had netted six goals for Three Star in the A division league, scored in a cross from Gurung to seal the victory in the stoppage time.
Three Star will meet the winner of the semifinal between Nepal Army Club and host Sahara Club in the final to be played on Saturday.
Despite creating a host of opportunities Jawalakhel failed to convert them. In the 27th minute, Jema Benlee´s flicked shot in skipper Jagunath Khadka´s cross went off the target. In the 58th minute, Juma Benlee´s 25-yard shot sailed inches above the bar. In the 65th minute, Bishnu Sunuwar cleared custodian Alan Neupane´s rebounder off Benlee´s powerful shot.
Jawalakhel´s coach Kishor KC was dissatisfied with the performance of some of his key players, including Benlee, Raj Paudel, Kanya Gurung and Saral Lopchan. "The boys lacked zeal despite taking a first-half lead. They were under pressure in the second half," said KC who also criticized his custodian Sanam Ferland. "The custodian was caught unawares when he conceded the second goal."
Three Star also squandered some scoring opportunities. During the half-hour mark, Victor was slow to collect Femi´s pass. In the 68th minute, Victor ran with the ball from the center but fired above the bar with only custodian Ferland to beat.
Jawalakhel coach Pradip Humagain said, "We decided to field bench players Anil Gurung and Bishhu Gurung and it turned out to be a wise move," said Humagain, who had fielded Bishnu in the 33rd minute a minute after bringing in Anil.
Humagain also said that the match improved gradually after 20 minutes. He added that that the victory was proof that their bench players were equally capable. "Though many players of the set are in the national team training, the result and the performance prove the team´s bench strength." Eight players of Three Star including skipper Santosh Sahukhala are in the national team´s training camp.
Nepal Army Club will take on host Sahara FC in the second semifinal match on Thursday.
Related story
Sierra Leonean Femi fills Three Star's foreigner quota
