It will be the second encounter of the teams after a month. APF had defeated Friends 3-2 in the group round of Ncell Cup Football Championship held on September 16. Altogether 12 teams including eight A division teams of Nepal, one from host Pokhara and three from abroad will compete in the event.[break]
Three teams from abroad and Ncell Cup champion Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) have received bye and directly secured places in quarterfinals. Druk Pol FC of Bhutan and Kolkata Port Trust Sports Club of India have confirmed their participation in the event.
According to Khem Gurung, president of organizer Kaski District Football Association, the name of a team from Bangladesh is yet to be finalized. "Though a team from Bangladesh will arrive the name is yet to be finalized," said Gurung.
Host Pokhara XI, MMC, Yeti Airlines Himalayan Sherpa Club, Friends Club, New Road Team (NRT), McDowell´s Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT), APF and Machhindra Club, are the other teams to compete in the event.
The winner of the 12-day event will bag a purse of Rs 305,000 and the runner up, Rs 150,000. The cash prize for winner in the previous edition was Rs 250,000.
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