Jhapa, November 11

Tribhuvan Army Club won the title of the Annapurna Hamro Purbanchal International Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Domalal Rajbanshi Stadium today.

The departmental side defeated fellow Kathmandu-based team, Church Boys United 2-0 in the final match. Skipper Tek Bahadur Budhathoki scored a brace to guide TAC to victory in the tensed match that produced seven yellow cards and a red. Rajendra Rawal of Church Boys was expelled in the injury time of the match for second bookable offence.

TAC opened the scoring in the 32nd minute of the match when an unmarked Budhathoki fired home a low shot from inside the box following a cross from Tanka Basnet.

Against the run of the play, Budhathoki sealed the victory with his second goal of the match in the 80th minute on his solo effort. Earlier, Church Boys should have taken the lead but Sunil Khadka wasted an opportunity in the 25th minute.

TAC also dominated the individual award although man-of-the-match honour went to Church Boys’ Ashok Khawas. Budhathoki was declared the player of the tournament and while his teammates Bibas Chaudhary (goalkeeper), Deepak Gurung (defender) and Tanka Basnet (forward) bagged individual awards along with coach Nabin Neupane.

Sunil Khadka of Church Boys was named the best midfielder.

Along with the trophy, TAC received Rs 1.25 million, while Church Boys earned Rs 625,000. A total of 10 teams, including two from India, took part in the tournament organised by Jayon Sports Club of Birtamod.