Bangla team in Governor's
Gold Cup football final

Bangladesh's Arambagh Sporting Club stormed into the final of the Governors' Gold Cup football tournament, outclassing Nepal Football Association XI 3-1 in the first semi-final at Namchi, Gangtok, on Wednesday.

Hanif Pradhan scored a brace while Mohd. R Kanchan netted the other goal for the Bangladesh team. Rajesh Shahi reduced the margin for Nepal FA at the fag end of the match, played at South Sikkim's Baichung stadium.

Pradhan opened the scoring four minutes before the interval as he tapped in a deflection off a rebound from the Nepal 'keeper.

Seven minutes into the second session, the Bangla team increased the lead through Pradhan as he chested a pass from the left flank and drove home.

Kanchan made it 3-0 after outwitting two Nepal defenders.

The Nepal side reduced the margin five minutes before the long whistle.

In the final on Saturday, Arambagh Sporting Club will meet the winner of Thursday's semi-final between Calcutta giants Mohun Bagan and Bharti Sangha.