Published: 02:55 pm Mar 15, 2022
Tribhuvan Army Club members celebrate after winning the fifth Nepal Ice Jhapa Gold Cup at the Domalal Rajbanshi Stadium in Birtamode on Monday. Photo: THT
JHAPA, MARCH 14
Tribhuvan Army Club won the title of the fifth Jhapa Gold Cup at the Domalal Rajbanshi Stadium in Birtamode today.
TAFC defeated Jhapa-XI 2-1 in the final to win the fourth straight title of the tournament.
Jhapa-XI were restricted to runners-up for the fifth straight edition.
Along with the trophy, TAFC earned Rs 1.25 million, while Jhapa-XI received Rs 605,000. Player-of-the-match Tek Bahadur Budhathoki and George Prince Karki scored one goal each for TAFC in the space of three minutes, while Bimal Gharti Magar replied for Jhapa. The Armymen took the lead in the 18th minute through Budhathoki’s goal before Karki doubled the tally in the 21st minute. Gharti Magar headed home to reduce the deficit for the home team in the 24th minute.
Devendra Tamang of Jhapa was named the player of the tournament and he received Yamaha motorcycle, while his teammate Bimal Gharti Magar was the highest scorer with five goals. Manoj Rai and Andreas Niya of Jhapa were declared the best defender and midfielder respectively. Likewise, TAFC duo Bikesh Kuthu and Nabin Neupane were adjudged the best goalkeeper and coach respectively.
The best individuals received Rs 21,000 each.
Meanwhile, the organisers honoured Bishal Rai ‘A’ with the Lifetime Achievement Award before the final match. Players from TAFC and Jhapa-XI feted Rai with guard of honour. Rai, who played for Jhapa- XI in the match against Sikkim last week, received a Yamaha motorcycle.
The organisers had previously honoured Jhapa- XI skipper Prabesh Katuwal and midfielder Nagendra Mani Limbu with the award. Katuwal is currently head coach of Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League champions Machhindra Football Club.
A version of this article appears in the print on March 15, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.