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The match headed for a sudden death after a 4-4 draw in penalty shootout. JYC skipper Jaggunath Khadka scored the winner as Army´s Ram Kumar Biswas´s shot went wide.[break]
This is the first major title for JYC since it was established in 1972. Before this, the best ever performances of the club were reaching the final of the Budha Subba Gold Cup six years ago and finishing runners-up in the Martyrs Memorial League in 1981 and 1982.
Along with the title, JYC also avenged the defeat they had faced at the hands of the Army two years ago. Army had defeated JYC in the semifinals of the last edition.
Winning the title was nothing strange, according to JYC coach Rajaram Karki. “Our team was the best and we won performing as per expectations,” he said.
The regulation time of the match had ended in a 1-1 draw. JYC took the lead in the 18th minute with a goal from captain Khadka. He netted the ball in a corner kick from Bishal Tamang. Earlier, Karna Limbu´s shot had rattled the post in the 9th minute.
Having appeared weak in the first half, Army increased pace in the second half. Tanka Basnet´s shot in the 47th minute was cleared by JYC´s Krishna Kunwar. Army could have equalized in the 70th minute but Amrit Basnet failed to score in an empty net.
Army were lucky to get an equalizer 12 minutes from time. A 35-yard shot from Hiranya Magar hit the post and returned, only to bounce on the knee of JYC custodian Min Basnet and deflect in the net.
None of the sides scored in the added 20 minutes, which led to a penalty shootout. JYC´s Krishna Kunwar, Laxmi Narayan Shrestha, Bikram Limbu and Rajkumar Paudel scored from the spot. The shot from Bikash Rai ´B´ was saved by Army goalkeeper Bikash Malla. Meanwhile, Chun Bahadur Thapa, Mahendra Khawas, Hiranya Magar and Raju Tamang scored for Army. Nawayug Shrestha´s shot went wide.
Army captain and former JYC keeper Bikash Malla said that all the team members were good but they had problems while scoring.
Hiranya Magar was adjudged the man-of-the-match while Malla was declared the best goalkeeper.
JYC confirmed two important individual titles. Bishal Rai ´B´ was adjudged the best player of the tournament and Bishal Rai ´A´ was the highest scorer of the tournament. All the winners received Rs 5,500 each.
JYC bagged a purse of Rs 155,555 along with the title, while Army received Rs 77,777.
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