Dharan FC, which had disappointed the home crowd with defeats in the finals of the first, second, fourth and ninth editions, is now eying to lift the title. [break]
The host will lock horns with defending champion Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) in the opening match at ANFA Technical Centre, Dharan.
Dharan FC faces a tough draw against the two-time champion MMC, which is looking forward to defend its title and make a hat-trick, but the home side is optimistic of putting up a good show as it has signed star players of the Eastern Region for this tournament.
“You cannot write off outside teams this time because we have players who have played in the National League and A Division League,” said Dharan FC´s coach Sagar Ghimire.
The home side features New Road Team´s goalkeeper Binay Shrestha, Ranipokhari Corner Team´s player Shekhar Limbu and Jawlakhel Youth Club´s Laxmi Shrestha among the top flight players in its team.
Other players in the team include Prakash Budhathoki and Subarna Limbu of Friend´s Club while Bishal Rai, Sachindra Dhimal, Bikram Limbu, Bishal Tamang, Deepak Rai are among the local stars who have the experience of playing in National League and A Division League.
“Our aim is to create a historic record by winning the title,” added coach Ghimire.
Going by the records, Nepal Police Club is the most successful club in the tournament´s history as it has won the title for a record four times. Mega Three Star Club is second in the list with three titles to its name.
MMC, which had won its first title eight years ago and then in the last edition, is not properly set as its coach Hari Om Shrestha has conceded that the club is in the process of signing new players for the upcoming league following the expiry of the terms of its good players.
“Our team is not properly set, but we still hope to win the title because we have five international players from Ivory Coast and Cameroon,” said Shrestha.
Altogether eight national and international teams are competing in the eight-day event which will conclude on March 31. Besides MMC and the host, other teams participating in the tournament are NPC, Three Star and Yeti Himalayan Sherpa Club. African United, CFC from Bhutan and Hong Kong Nepalese are the international teams competing for the title worth Rs 300,000. The runner-up will bag a purse of Rs 150,000.
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