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| Kathmandu, Sunday May 18, 2003 Jestha 04, 2060. |
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It’s third time lucky for
MMC
Post Report
KATHMANDU, May 17 ; After failures in two
previous Khukuri Cup finals, it was third-time lucky for Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) as
they landed the title as they defeated ANFA Academy 1-0 in the final at the flood-lit
Dashrath Stadium on Saturday.
They lost the 1999 final to Rani Pokhari Corner
Team (RCT) in 1999 and again to Mahendra Police Club (MPC) in 2000.
But striker Basanta Thapa broke the jinx,
scoring the decisive goal in the first minute of the added period after a scoreless
regulation time. The win, along with the glittering trophy, MMC also pocketed Rs. 200,000.
ANFA Academy received Rs. 100,000.
"After luckless first and second halves,
resulting in scoreless regulation period, we stepped onto to the field with a plan to
score within five minutes," MMC coach Arjun Lama revealed after the final.
That was exactly what happened: MMC captain
Kumar Thapa centred a perfect cross into the penalty area from the right and Basanta Thapa
wasted no time to put his header home the winning goal.
Lama was also all praise for the spirited show
put in by their opposition, especially goalkeeper Bikash Malla.
The young ‘keeper, who would be adjudged
the tournament’s best player, came in between MMC and a certain goal on four
occasions in the first 12 minutes of play.
MMC, setting early pace from either flank,
dominated the proceedings and went close to scoring as early as in the 4th minute. But
Malla, showing maturity, moved close to the 18-yard line denying advancing MMC player
Tashi Tshering from scoring off a long looping pass.
In the 6th minute, Malla came again to his side’s
rescue punching away Basanta Thapa’s thunderous shot from close. He was equally
brilliant a minute later when he denied a fine header from Deepak Lama.
But he produced the most spectacular save of the
match on 12 minutes as he punched away a firmly driven shot from Lama from outside the
penalty area. And turned down Kumar Thapa’s shot on rebound.
Despite being at par on skills with experienced
MMC players, the young ANFA team struggled to match them in physical strength. But they
still managed to create several chances. They had their best chance in the 37th minute but
striker Susan Bhandari, put in with a fine cross from Lok Bandhu Gurung, was wide off
target.
MMC, which remained unbeaten throughout the
tournament, also finished with a clean sheet. Three Star Club, who finished third bagged
Rs. 50,000 with the fourth-placed RCT walking away with Rs. 25,000.
The Assistant Minister for Education and Sports,
Rabindra Khanal, distributed Cup, medals and cash prizes to the teams at a function held
after the final. On the occasion, Member-secretary of National Sports Council (NSC) Kishor
Bahadur Singh gave away the tournament’s best player award. |
