Defending champion Machhindra lifts 2nd KP Oli Cup defeating NRT

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 3: Machhindra FC has lifted the second edition of the KP Oli Cup defeating New Road Team FC in penalties at the final match in Dasharath Rangasala on Saturday. Machhindra had also lifted the cup in its inaugural edition by defeating Satdobato Youth Club last year.

Match officials had called the two teams for penalties after the 90 minutes of the play ended goalless. The two teams failed to score any goals in the 90 minutes despite getting chances. 

With Machhindra kicking the first penalty, everybody scored until the last one as NRT’s Bibek Gurung shot his penalty outside the frame. As a result, Machhindra won 5-4 

in penalties.

Sanish Shrestha, Diwakar Chaudhary, Stephen Binong and Devendra Tamang converted the penalties for Machhindra in front of a packed crowd in Dasharath Rangasala.

On the other hand, the four penalty scorers of NRT were Saroj Tamang, Sanjeev Bista, Abhishek Limbu and Mohit Gurung.

NRT reached the finals defeating Jawalakhel Youth Club in the semi-final. Likewise, Machhindra defeated Manebhanjyang FC in the semi-final to book its berth in the final.

NRT, as the runner-up, received Rs. 500,000, while the winner Machhindra received Rs. 1.1 million. 

The organisers adjudged NRT’s Bibek Gurung as the emerging player of the tournament. Similarly, Bishal Shrestha of Machhindra FC was awarded as the best goalkeeper.

Nevertheless, Sanjeev Bista was awarded as the highest scorer and Sanish Shrestha of Machhindra as the MVP of the tournament.

Former Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli and veteran actor Madan Krishna Shrestha among others awarded the winners the respective honours.

The tournament was organised by Yuwa Sangh Nepal, CPN-UML’s youth organisation.

A total of 10 teams – Jawalakhel Youth Club, KP Oli FC, Church Boys United, NRT, Three Star, Delhi FC, Manebhanjyang, Tribhuwan Army Club, Nepal Police Club and Machhindra – participated in the knock-out tournament that started on February 23.