KATHMANDU: The APF Football Club of the Armed Police Force (APF) clinched the Gold Cup title for the first time in the two-decade history of Aha Rara by defeating the champion Manang Marshyangdi Football Club.
In the final match of the 20th edition of the tournament organized by Sahara Club Pokhara at Pokhara Stadium from January 20, APF defeated Manang 5-4 in a tiebreaker to make history.
APF, which made it to the finals after 14 years in Aha Rara, became the champion and won a prize of Rs. Aha Rara has got a new champion as the departmental team APF has not won the title so far.
After the scheduled and extra 30 minutes of the game ended in a two-goal draw, the game was decided by a tiebreaker. Goalkeeper Yuya became the hero in Korea in the victory of APF. In the penalty shootout, Manang’s Olawale blocked Afiz’s shot and Korea made APF champions for the first time, giving them a historic victory.
APF’s Navin Lama, Sanish Shrestha, Ravi Thing, Mani Lama and Armand Bidom scored in the tiebreaker. Only Manang’s Franglin, Dayananda Singh, Shiva Gurung and Rupesh KC scored. APF’s Yuvraj Khadka took the lead in the 21st minute. After losing 1-0 in the first half, Manang equalized in the second half through a goal by Dayananda Singh in the 67th minute.
In the 84 th minute of the match, Manang took the lead through Frenglin’s goal and came close to victory. Neither team scored in extra time.
Manang, which has reached the final for the 12th time including the Caravan Gold Cup, has reached the final only twice. APF has reached the final for the second time after 14 years. In 2064 BS, APF reached the final for the first time in the sixth edition and lost 2-0 to Nepal Police Club.
Manang won the second edition in 2060 BS, the third in 2061 BS, the tenth in 2068 BS, the fourteenth in 2072 BS, the fifteenth in 2073 BS and the 18th in 2076 BS. APF defender Rajan Gurung was adjudged the best player of the tournament. He received a Thane scooter as a prize.
Similarly, APF’s Yuya Koriyam, defender APF’s Rajan Gurung, midfielder APF’s Ravi Thing, forward Manang’s Olawale Afiz, APF’s Kumar Thapa and APF’s Ravi Thing were declared the best goal scorers and received Rs 25,000 each. Eight teams of Nepal’s A Division, one foreigner and 10 teams including organizer Sahara participated in the competition.