KATHMANDU, DEC 12 -

Boy’s Union Club (BUC) overturned a one goal deficit to stun Three Star Club 2-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Ncell Cup football tournament here at the Dashrath Stadium on Wednesday.

Biraj Maharjan’s brilliant strike gave Three Star the 50th minute lead but goals from forward Ashim Jung Karki and Binod Lama in the 68th and 78th minute helped BUC upset the league champions in the third quarter-finals. Prakash Budhathoki had the best opportunity of the first-half for Three Star when he fired his shot wide of the right-hand post after controlling Jagjeet Shrestha’s cross inside the area in the 37th minute.

Three Star eventually broke the deadlock five minutes after the interval when Maharjan’s 25-yard strike flew into the top corner giving BUC custodian Raju Yogi hardly any chance to react. BUC however raised their game after going a goal down and were rewarded for their persistence when Karki netted the equaliser after controlling Captain Prem Ghimire’s cross from the left-flank and coolly guiding the ball home in the 68th minute.

BUC then shocked the league champions when Karki’s perfectly weighted pass inside the area was fired into the net by Lama 10 minutes later. Three Star pressed forward for an equaliser but that only left gaps behind making them vulnerable on the counter attack. Second half substitute Akeem Baba Tunde drove past the Three Star backline but goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong was alert to clear his through ball at the edge of the box before Karki could capitalise in the 80th minute.

The strike partnership of Tunde and Karki again threatened the Three Star defence when Tunde’s lay off inside the area was fired wide of the goal by Karki in the 90th minute. BUC coach Bijay Maharjan expressed great satisfaction with his team’s performance and said that his side fully deserved the win.

“Today’s win showed that anything can happen in football . After conceding the lead, we had no other option but to go on the offensive. The players fought with great spirits and they fully deserve the victory,” said a thrilled Maharjan. “We were clinical in converting our chances. They tried to attack us in search for the equaliser but we were brilliant on the counter-attack,” added Maharjan.

Three Star coach Anjan KC criticised his team’s mentality and their overall performance. “The player’s mental approach to the game was not correct and they became complacent after taking the lead. We made many errors as a team which was really disappointing. I think this is one of the worst performances of the players since I took over the reins of the club,” said KC.

BUC will now take on Tribhuvan Army Club in the semi-finals.