NTSC midfielder Ranjit Shrestha emerged the hero of the match, which extended till extra-time after goalless regulation time.
Shrestha scored the lone goal of the match in the 19th minute of the extra-time. Shrestha guided a cross from Bijay Dhimal into the net. [break]
This is the first time that NPC have missed the final of Aaha Gold Cup in their eighth participation. Five time champions NPC have participated in Aaha Gold Cup except in the fifth edition and reached final every time they participated.
Both the team squandered few scoring chances in the regulation time. NTSC´s Buddha Chemjong could not score Rajkumar Ghising´s cross in the 40th minute of the match while NPC goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa saved a shot from Ghising three minutes later. Likewise, Anil Ojha missed an opportunity in the second half.
NPC´s new signing Bharat Khawas and Bhola Silwal each missed chances of scoring in the second half of the match.
NPC coach Birat Krishna Shrestha said his players could not utilize the opportunities and hence faced the defeat. "Players could not hold the ball in extra time, their carelessness cost us dearly," said Shrestha.
NTSC coach Megh Raj KC said that they could not perform as expected but played a good match against tough rivals NPC. He said his side was able to tame NPC´s over-confidence and win the match.
Ranjit Shrestha celebrates his goal.
NTSC´s Sanjeeb Budhathoki was adjudged man of the match for his stubborn defending.
NTSC, who won the British Gurkha Cup last month in Kathmandu defeating MMC in the final, will test their caliber once again against the same opponents in Pokhara. The final match will be played on Saturday.
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