Manang Marshyangdi Club Defeated JYC To clinched the Title of 10th Aaha Gold Cup

Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club Clinched  the title of the 10th Aaha Gold Cup Football after defeating Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club 2-0 in the final played at the Pokhara Stadium on Saturday.

 The win also meant that Manang completed their hat-trick in the competition. Mananag lifted the title in back-to-back manner in 2003 and 2004.

In the highly competitive fast paced final, it was tough to differentiate between the contesting teams as they swam in the similar level of water until skipper of Manang Shiva Shrestha broke the deadlock when the match was in  61st minute

Shrestha hit the target inside the unguarded net when he perfectly judged and timed the corner kick from the left flank to take his team to the driving seat.

When Jawalakhel were looking adamant of retrieving to the similar level, Sulav Maskey made sure of his team’s win in the injury time of second quarter when he fired the ball back into the net of their opponents capitalising on the pass from Thomas Wangagira that took the direction of top corner of second bar.

Jawalakhel Youth club who just signed Record deal with Samsung , outshined Manang in the first 10 minutes, squandered three goal scoring opportunities.

Skipper Laxmi Narayan Shrestha’s attempt in punishing the mistake committed by Manang’s goalie Dinesh Shrestha whisked past the bar. Karna Limbu’s—who had scored six goals in the tournament—attempt on goal from the danger area failed to meet the target by an inch in the 76th minute. Manang’s danger was averted by Mobilele when he cleared Bishal Rai A’s header into the exposed post in the 87th minute. 

With the win, Manang—who agonised Jawalakhel in the Martyrs Memorial A Division League and recently concluded National League—extended their winning streak against their familiar opponents in this tournament as well. The triumph healed Manang’s last year’s defeat suffered from the hands of Three Star Club.

Coach of the losing team, Kishore KC admitted that his team were defeated only because they failed to convert the numerous opportunities.

Shiva Shrestha was adjudged as man of the match for his priceless goal. Bishal Rai ‘A’ of JYC received the top-most honour of Best Player of the Tournament and was awarded with a Yamaha bike.

Karna Limbu of JYC walked away with the honours in two categories. He became richer by Rs 15,000 and

Rs 10,000 for scoring highest numbers of goals and distinguishing himself as

the best striker of the tournament respectively.

Bishal Rai A with Bike

Highlights

Best Player        Bishal Rai ‘A’

Highest Scorer        Karna Limbu (JYC)

Best Striker        Karna Limbu (JYC)   

Fair-play        Pune FC

Best GoalKeeper        Bishal Shrestha (MMC)

Best Defender        Zambo Anatole (MMC)

Best Midfielder        Shiva Shrestha (MMC)

Best Coach        Kishor KC (JYC)

All the five best players and the best coach received Rs 10,000 along with a trophy each, while Bishal Rai ‘A’ drove away with a Yamaha bike.