Three Star Club clinch 6th Khaptad Gold Cup

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 2: Three Star Club clinched the title of the 6th Khaptad Gold Cup Football Tournament after they thrashed domestic football powerhouse Manang Marsyangdi Club (MMC) by 2-0 in the final held at Dhangadhi Stadium, Dhangadhi on Saturday.

Anil Maharjan and captain Bikram Lama netted enabling Three Star Club to win the first title of the season. The first half-between two giants of Nepali football, Manang and Three Star, ended in goalless draw, but Three Star Club took the lead in the 73rd minute and added another goal in dying minutes.

Three Star lifted the title of the Khaptad Gold Cup in their third attempt. Earlier, Three Star went down to the host Sudur Paschim XI in the third and fourth edition of the tournament. 

The Patan-based club cruised into the title clash beating host Sudur Paschim XI 4-2 in the penalty shootout last Thursday while Manang booked their place in the final humiliating Avenir Football Club of Cameroon 6-0 in the first semifinals last Wednesday.

Captain Lama of Three Star Club was declared the Player of the Tournament and received Rs. 100,000. Similarly, Three Star goalie received the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament while his teammate Peter Segun got the Best Defender and Bishan Gurung of Manang Marysangdi Club bagged Best Midfielder award.

Meanwhile, Jamail of Manang was the highest goal scorer of the tournament while Dipendra Marasaini of Sudur Paschim XI was declared the Rising Player of the Tournament. Likewise, Megh Raj KC of Three Star Club bagged Best Coach of the tournament. 

Maharjan scored a stunning goal from the 25-yard free kick. His free kick kissed Manang's net hitting the goalie's gloves.

Skipper Lama sealed the match for the winning side in the dying minute of the match after unmarked Lama made the score-line 2-0 for Three Star Club through his acute header from close-range.

The title winner Three Star Club lifted Rs. 2.1 million while runner-up Manang Marsyangdi Club remained satisfied with Rs. 1 million.