DHARAMSHALA, June 4: The 18th Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup football tournament reached the final stage of it competition with Tashi Phalkhiel Sports Club (Pokhara) and Phuntsokling FC, Orissa qualifying for the finals.
The two teams have overcome challenges from 17 other teams to set up their claim for gold.
Playing the first semifinal match of the tournament Monday, TCV United failed to capitalise on the support from the home crowd, going 2-1 down to Tashi Phalkhiel Sports Club, Pokhara.
The first half of the match belonged to TCV United with Tsering Tashi, number 8, raising the hopes of the cheering students with a stunner from outside the 18 yards box in the 20th minute of the match.
But the second half of the match was convincingly won by the Pokhara team.
Barely six minutes into the whistle, Karma Tashi, number 4, produced a wonderful header to find the back of the net for Pokhara. Boosted by the equaliser, Norbu Dorjee, number 7, carried on with his good touch, scoring for his team in the 20th minute and taking Pokhara into the finals.
TCV United captain who had to sit out because of his two yellow cards in the previous encounter, was sorely missed on the day.
The second semifinals saw Phuntsokling, Orissa overcoming a strong challenge from Phakshing FC, Kathmandu and in the process denying an all-Nepal GCM final.
In a game of missed opportunities and half chances, the Kathmandu team managed just a single goal, which came in the 15th minute of the match, courtesy a header from Nyima Tsewang, number 8.
A charged up Orissa team looked hungry for the gold, scoring three goals within a short span of time to completely shut out Kathmandu.
Tsering Dhondup, number 10 for Orissa scored twice within five minutes.
Soon after that, Jangchup Gyaltsen, number 7, sent Kathmandu out of the tournament with his sixth goal of the tournament. He is now tied with Norbu Dorjee from Pokhara for the most goals in the tournament.
The finals will be played between Orissa and Pokhara on June 5, 15:00 IST at the Upper Tibetan Children’s Village School grounds.
