The contest will be the rematch of last years´ final. Police humiliated army 5-0 on the occasion. The police will be looking forward to defend their title and claim it for the third consecutive time. [break]
Police are the title holders of the 2008 and 2009 editions. Police had defeated Armed Police Force (APF) Club in 2008. The first edition title too had gone to the police.
The police are lucky to enter the final without half a dozen of their vital players. They are preparing to stage them on Saturday.
Jumanu Rai, Chetan Ghimire, Bhola Silwal, Yogesh Shrestha, Rabin Shrestha and Suman Subedi are undisputed key players of the police squad and all of them missed the previous matches of the tournament as they were participating in the South Asian Games football being held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
On the other hand, the army team is preparing to come up with number one goalie Bikash Malla who is also in Dhaka. National keeper Bikash too missed previous matches of the tournament after being selected as the first choice goalie in SAG.
Veteran police player Hari Khadka himself is ready to come in the field if required. “If required, I will myself come in the ground,” Khadka said.
The police players of SAG squad are preparing to arrive in Pokhara by Friday evening.
Looking back at history, Police have been lucky in Pokhara. Police have entered the final in all the editions they have participated. This is their seventh appearance in Aaha Gold Cup.
However, it will not be easy for the police to defeat the army. Rajukaji Shakya, former national skipper, after taking charge of the army team since the last one and a half years has led the team to final in all five tournaments they participated. He will be looking forward to take home the first title of the year.
“The final will be a tough challenge as the police are winners of the last two editions. We will leave no stone unturned to lift the title,” Shakya said.
In the semifinals, police had defeated Manang Marshyangdi Club 1-0 and army saw off New Road Team 2-1.
Related story
Manang lifts record sixth Aaha Rara Gold Cup title
