Champion of 2004 and 2011, and finalist of 2012, Manang will be looking forward to its first major title of the season by winning third Budhasubba title while APF will be eyeing to create history by winning its first title of the championship.
The clash for the title is presumed to be an evenly contested affair as both teams are in their best forms and are looking forward to ending their season with good results.
The last time APF and Manang had met in any major competition was during last year’s Simara Gold Cup pre-quarterfinal. APF had registered a 2-1 victory over Manang then.
APF had also won the BP Memorial Cup defeating Manang in the final earlier duing the same year.
Anil fires Sankata into Budhasubba final
APF coach Krishna Thapa, though, believes his team will have an upper hand against Manang for the latter having its dependable players away serving the country.
Manang had come into the tournament without its high profile players like Anil Gurung, Biraj Maharjan, Shiva Shrestha, Bishal Rai and Nirajan Malla. But its coach Raju Shakya claimed that Manang is in its best form and will be eyeing the trophy.
“APF is a young and established squad. Defeating them will be challenging but we are in best form and are looking toward ending this season with good results, said Shakya.
“Our strongest part is our defense and we can score in counter attacks.”
