NRT lifts 25th Budha Subba Gold Cup

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 9: New Road Team (NRT) lifted the 25th edition of the Budha Subba Gold Cup, a prestigious football tournament in Eastern Nepal, defeating Church Boys United (CBU) by a score of 2-1 at a packed Dharan Stadium.

CBU, the defending A-Division champion of Nepal, was on a high as captain Ananta Tamang gave his side the early lead in the 24th minute. Tamang headed the ball backwards to find the back of the net from outside the six-yard box. 

CBU defeated NRT in penalties during the first knockout phase of the 24th Aaha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup two days ago. Thus, the early lead by the skipper worked as a booster to the squad.

Nevertheless, NRT, which was looking for revenge after losing to CBU in penalties without its main squad, did not want the same to happen. Thus, the Anjan Bista-led side kept fighting despite trailing.

And, three minutes later, NRT equalised from the corner spot. A long curler inside the box was chested forward by Jaya Gurung, but it got deflected and found Henry Aduset Poko, who scored. While NRT celebrated the equaliser, CBU players were busy claiming for a handball inside the box.

Poko was again on the spot in the 57th minute to get the rebound when the CBU defender tried clearing the ball. Despite losing his balance, Poko was able to score his second goal and give NRT the winning goal.

The brace helped Poko earn the Player of the Match award in the final.

Similarly, NRT’s Pramijay Gachhedar was adjudged the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Hariom Shrestha was the Best Coach for winning the Gold Cup with NRT.

However, despite losing in the final, CBU players bagged all of the other individual awards. CBU’s Padam Bhattarai, Rohan Karki and Samir Tamang were adjudged as the Best Defender, Midfielder and Striker of the Tournament.

Nevertheless, the winner of the tournament, NRT, received a trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 1 million, while CBU, the runner-up, got a trophy and Rs. 500,000.

Brigade Boys out  Brigade Boys Club (BBC) of the United Kingdom got knocked out of the 24th Aaha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup by the Nepal Police Club (NPC) on Saturday. They lost to Police by 2-0.