Following a goalless opening half where TC Sports created a couple of clear-cut chances, the second half was an evenly balanced affair before Nafiu Ali netted the all-important goal seven minutes before the end of stipulated time.
The physical difference between Manang and TC Sports was clearly evident from the beginning of the game but the former, with less physical advantage, tried to dominate possession with short passes in the first half.
After resumption, Manang opted for a more straightforward approach with several long balls delivered into the opposition box.
When queried to give reasons for the defeat, TC Sports head coach Nizam Mohamed admitted that it was the superior physical condition of his players that proved to be the difference at the end.
TC Sports, who got promoted to the top flight, the Dhivehi Premier League, for the very first time in 2015, began the game brightly as Stewart Cornelius Ezekiel almost opened the scoring with only eight minutes into the clock.
The tall Vincentian forward's powerful left-footed volley however, flew inches over the bar.
Manang's only chance in the opening half came in the 18th minute when Afeez Olawale Oladipo took a shot from the middle of the box but it went just wide off the far post.
TC Sports players celebrate while a Manang player ponders what might have been
DHAKA TRIBUNE
TC Sports winger Ibrahim Mahudhee Hussain squandered a golden chance four minutes later. Nafiu delivered a low cross from the right flank onto the path of Ibrahim at the middle of the box but the forward, despite having only the goalkeeper upfront, fired the ball over the bar.
Limbu Kiran Kumar, who played for Manang last year before moving to Maldives, produced a spectacular save with his finger tip sto deny a header by hard-working midfielder Rohit Chand.
With the game rolling towards extra time, TC Sports continued to pile more pressure on the opponent whilst keeping their defence solid, led by the indefatigable Egyptian defender Elsayed Eissa.
Captain Nafiu provided the much-awaited breakthrough in the 83rd minute, sending the ball into the net using his shoulder following a cross from midfielder Azzam Mohammed from the right side that fell into a goal-mouth scramble.
This is the first time TC Sports have reached the final of an international tournament. They will face the winner of Tuesday's second semi-final between Chittagong Abahani and Pocheon Citizen this Friday in the port city.