Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) claimed the second major knockout football tournament defeating Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) 2-0 in the final of the Madan Bhandari Memorial Itahari Gold Cup football tournament in Itahari on Saturday.

An early goal from winger Tanka Basnet put the departmental team ahead before a late goal from skipper Bharat Khawas killed off the match against MMC, who played with a man-down for last 21 minutes after forward Olawale Afeez was sent off for second yellow card. Army received Rs 1.6 million and runners-up MMC, who also ended up on the losing side against Three Star in the last edition’s final, received Rs 800,000.

It was the second knockout title of the season for TAC, who were crowned the champions of the Bishal Gold Cup in Birgunj on January 19 and finished runners-up in the Simara Gold Cup on January 26. Basnet opened scoring in the fifth minute to put the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League champions to backfoot. Basnet capitalised on a corner from Santosh Tamang to score from the area.

MMC could have levelled the scores in the 23rd minute but their Nigerian recruit Adelaja Somide ended up applying a tame shot straight into the hands of goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu after a well worked pass from Nepali international winger Anjan Bista. Moments later Heman Gurung also ended up firing straight to Kuthu.  

Five minutes after resumption Mohammed Aseef’s header in Somide’s freekick sailed inches above the bar. MMC’s prolific Nigerian forward Afeez got the marching order in the 69th minute after he stepped on to Army custodian Bikesh Kuthu’s leg. Army skipper Khawas sealed the victory in the dying moments of the game.

Army players dominated the individual award with Tanka Basnet winning best player honour. He was rewarded with Rs 30,000. His teammates Kuthu was named the best goalkeeper, Santosh Tamang the best defender and Bharat Khawas the best forward. Khawas also ended up as the highest scorer with three goals. Suraj BK of MMC was rewarded with best defender award. Army’s Chun Bahadur Thapa won the best coach award.