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Kathmandu Friday February 22, 2002 Falgun 10, 2058.
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Khadka hogs limelight as MPC
lift King’s Cup
Post Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 21: A golden goal from ace
striker Hari Khadka led Mahendra Police Club (MPC) to the title triumph in the King’s
Cup knockout football tournament with a 2-1 win over Manang Marsyangdi Club (MMC) on
Thursday.
"It’s a goal, you always look for, be
it a domestic or international tournament," said Khadka talking to reporters after
the match. Khadka was adjudged the man of the match and the series and bagged a Samsung
mobile set and Yahama Crux-R motorbike.
"First, I thought the series contenders
were Kumar Thapa, Basanta Thapa and myself, but when the ball kissed the net, I became
sure that the series award was mine," said ecstatic Khadka.
The match was extended to extra time when
neither side could break the 1-1 deadlock in the regulation 90 minutes time.
Khadka struck the decisive blow for MMC in the
3rd minute of the extra time to give MPC their second final victory over MMC within a
month. MPC had edged past MMC 1-0 through a golden goal from Ramesh Budathoki in the final
of the Birendra Memorial tournament at the same ground on January this year.
In the counter-attack, Ramesh Budathoki, who
scored the first goal for MPC, supplied a long pass to Khadka at just outside the 18-yard
area. Khadka first dodged last defense Amit KC and then MMC custodian Binod Dangol before
guiding the ball to the back of the net. MMC once again had a bad day with poor finishing
as their players spoilt as many as six convincing chances coming their way.
"Our boys failed to penetrate rival’s
defense so we lost the title," said Birat Jung Shahi with gloomy facial expression.
"Anyway it was an entertaining football and the day was theirs so finally we lost the
match," Shahi consoled himself.
Earlier, Ramesh Budathoki, who is having a great
run in the domestic football, found the net as early as in the 9th minute. MMC goalie
Dangol’s blunder proved a reward for MPC, when his poor timing found Budathoki just
outside the edge. Budathoki didn’t make any mistake and unleashed a fierce shot after
taking the ball inside the 18-yard box. Though diving Dangol managed to touch the ball,
Budathoki’s power guided it into the net. The battle took an aggressive turn in the
second half and MMC became more severe after Basanta Thapa scored probably the best goal
of the tournament in the 67th minute. Thapa homed the deflected goal, when MMC were
offered a free kick at the edge of the 18-yard area after Narottam Gautam brought down MMC
captain Kumar Thapa.
MMC played an attacking football after restoring
parity at 1-1 but Thapa, Rayamajhi and substitute Nabin Neupane missed some close
opportunities, when the Police defenders were lacking coordination.
"When the opponents equalised the score,
our boys created some defensive lapses, which was the heart beating moment, but they
recovered quickly and performed their job nicely," said Police captain Anil Adhikari
after the match.
From Police side, defenders Adhikari, Deepak
Poudel, Narottam Gautam and Rakesh Shrestha played superbly while Budathoki at the front
left the mark. MMC goalie Dangol remained instrumental for his team saving more than half
dozens of Police’s attacks including four full-blooded shots off Budathoki.
Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, the president of Raj
Parishad Standing Committee handed over the trophy, certificates and prizes to the winner
and runner-up. Deepak Khadka of Dolakha received a Samsung 14" colour TV for being
the lucky audience. The nine-day long tournament was organised by Nepal Sports Club.
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