KATHMANDU, OCT 14 -
Skipper Anil Gurung scored four goals as Manang Marshyangdi Club thrashed Rani Pokhari Corner Team (RCT) 6-1 to lift the trophy of the maiden Ncell Cup at the Dashrath stadium, Tripureshwor, on Saturday.
Winning the most coveted football tournament, with the biggest prize money award, means Manang deservedly claimed the Rs 1.5m with the beautiful display of game.
Gurung, who dethroned Amar Dongol to walk away with the highest scorer honour, with six goals, was in spellbinding form with the magical feet, just what was expected from the Nepali international by his team in the judgment day clash.
He opened his scoring spree just seven minutes into the game and doubled his tally 10 minutes after.
With his nimble footwork, he completed his hat-trick in the 29th minute and added another, eight minutes before time. Other goals came from Mbile Stephen and Sulav Maskey in the ninth and 88th minutes respectively while Olawale Afeez scored a consolation goal for RCT.
Manang coach Krishna Thapa, who joined the club from Sahara Football Club this season, savoured the sweet taste of victory to create the history by winning the title in his maiden major competition.
“Today’s performance reassures Manang displaying a ‘beautiful football’,” said Thapa being rejuvenated. “Today’s win also marks the revival of Manang, who have not been able win major trophies recently. All the time we have invested in training, hard work and dedication on player’s part has resulted in today’s triumph. We played a technically beautiful game.”
In a fast paced game, Manang looked obvious favourites as soon as the game impregnated. They had the total control of the game with their accurate quick short exchanges, forcing their opponents to toil hard for the ball. On the other hand, RCT gave away the ball too easily, only to be punished for their clumsy play.
The duo of Amir Shrestha and Gurung inflicted misery upon RCT’s defence as they succeeded in easily penetrating them to create the chances of scoring in quick succession. Afeez, who dazzled with his skill and rapid dribbling, reinstated some life in RCT when he pulled a goal back, slotted a low shot off Yugal Kishor Rai’s feed from inside the box in the third minute of additional time of first half. Gurung, who by now had equalled the Dangol’s five goals feat, became the front-runner for the golden boot when he fired in a powerful header in the 82nd minute for his fourth. Gloom stricken RCT coach accepted that he had lost the match to Manang in the first ten minutes but applauded his team for their performance in the entire tournament.
The game was halted for seven minutes due of insufficient light as the flood light could not be lit in time, enraging the audience, who protested the malfunctioning by twinkling and waving their mobiles.