Rupandehi studded with players of Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) and Three Star netted all three goals after the break. MMC duo Sujal Shrestha achieved the target twice and Deepak Rai added another to the delight of home team. Earlier, Army had taken an early lead through midfielder Tanka Basnet stunning noisy home supporters in a tensed encounter which was interrupted twice resulting in 10 minutes of stoppage time.The winner Rupandehi received Rs 375,111 and runner up Army took home Rs 250,111 along with trophies and certificates.
Sujal netted the equalizer in the 62nd minute with a curling freekick from 30 yard leaving Army custodian Bikesh Kutu helpless. The match was also briefly interrupted following the equalizer after local fans pelted water bottles into the ground in an ugly celebration. The match was interrupted again after Army striker Bharat Khawas and Kalu Tamang of Rupandehi engaged in a scuffle.
Forward Deepak Rai spearheaded the home team's charge in the 78th after custodian Bikesh fumbled his strike leaving the ball to cross the goalline. Sujal, adjudged the best forward of the tournament, sealed the victory in the sixth minute of the 10-minute stoppage time with his solo display. Earlier, Tanka had put the departmental team ahead in the seventh minute with a scorcher.
Army coach Meghraj KC described the equalizer his side conceded as the turning point of the match. "The first goal we conceded became the turning point of the match. The players failed to play natural game after that as they were short-tempered. Besides, the team faces difficulty of playing in natural tuning ahead of anti-crowd."
Rupandehi team manager Dayaraj Sapkota said the first goal his side scored became the turning point of the match. He also pointed out the negative approach adopted by Army as one of the reasons for his side's win. "Army came up with a negative approach after conceding the second goal which also became helpful for us," he summed up.
Rupandehi forward Deepak Rai earned the best player and highest scorer (4 goals) award and received a motorbike for his feat. Best goalkeeper and forward title went to Dilip Chhetri and Sujal Shrestha of home team while Army's Hiranya Magar and Tanka Basnet were declared the best defender and midfielders respectively. Rupandehi's Prakash Malla won best coach award. Best players of each position and coach were awarded with Rs 15,000 each.
ANFA Vice President Karma Chhiring Sherpa, Irrigation Minister NP Saud among other distributed prizes to the winners.
Meanwhile, Kumar KC, the president of Rupandehi District Football Association revealed that they have earned Rs 920,000 from the tournament and the income shall be spent to support earthquake victims. He also informed that New Horizon School of Rupandehi had donated Rs 100,000.
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