Governor's Gold Cup: A Final Before Saturday

The second semifinal match on Thursday between firm favourites Nepal Three Star and the popular Tata Football Academy (TFA) have ignited the Gangtokians here who are set to swamp the 20,000 seater Paljor Stadium tomorrow.

While the Nepal side has a never drying traditional support base here, TFA has become the darling of the people.

And adding more fuel to fire, Nepal Three Star coach Upendra Man Singh said that they will like to set the records straight with TFA against whom they lost in 2005 here in a heartbreaking tiebreaker in a memorable semifinal. Singh is still licking his wounds as he was the goalkeeper in that pulsating encounter.

He said, "We won't allow a repeat of 2005 loss. We lost to TFA in the semis in penalties, we won't let it happen again."

Singh has set a 4-4-2 formation with an intention to attack TFA from the word go. The Nepal coach is trying to seek reinforcements from Katmandu where his senior players have arrived.

"We are informed that our players are coming from Malayasia in batches and have told our club there to send players to here by tonight for tomorrow's match."

On the other hand, TFA is trying to take the sting out of Nepal's revengeful mood by taking tomorrow's clash as a normal game.

"What happened in 2005 is past. It's over. We don't remember and it will be a normal game tomorrow", said Charlton Chapman, TFA manager.

"Both teams are balanced and full of young players. Nepal is a good side and so we are. It will be a good match tomorrow."

He added, "Whichever team manages to utilize their opportunities will win."

Meanwhile, the fans here are not sure whom to support tomorrow. Nepal commands a traditional support base but former champions TFA is also a darling of the crowd.

A fan said, "Let the best team win."

Bijoy Gurung