Kathmandu, Mar 17 –
Rupandehi XI today won the Tuborg second Nepalgunj Gold Cup defeating CMG Club Sankata in sudden death.
In the 65th minute Sankata took the lead through Anil Gurung’s penalty, but just a minute before the final whistle Rupandehi’s Shiva Subedi scored an equalizer.
Rupandehi’s Shiva Subedi, Uttam Gurung, Kalu Thapa and Laxman Ruchal scored in the tie-breaker, but Saurabh Magar hit the post. For Sankata Sushil KC, Bishwo Adhikari, Kalu Deepak Karki and Bhushan Subba scored, while skipper Ravi Silwal failed to convert the winning spot-kick.
The match then headed to sudden death. Sankata’s Raj Paudel failed to score, while goalkeeper Ajay Maharjan made a brilliant save to deny Rupandehi’s Ajay BK’s attempt. In the second round of sudden death, Sankata’s Ajayi Martins and Rupandehi’s Ajay Thapa, they both converted their penalties.
In the third round of the sudden death Sankata’s Lawal Olalekan struck against the post while Rupandehi’s Gaurav Budhathoki converted his spot-kick to win the title.
With the win, Rupandehi bagged the cash prize of Rs 500,000 while the runner-up Sankata had to satisfy for Rs 251,000.
Rupandehi’s Amar Dangol was adjudged the best player of the tournament and received a Suzuki motorcycle, while his teammates Musha and Gaurav Budhathoki were announced the best defender and midfielder respectively.
Sankata’s Ajay Maharjan and Ajayi Martins were declared the best goalkeeper and the best striker of the tournament respectively. Similarly, Sankata’s Salyan Khadki was named the best coach. All the best players in each category and the best coach each got Rs 5,000.
The tournament was organized by Banke District Football Association and total eight teams participated.
