Hetauda, February 17

Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club defeated Nepal APF Club 1-0 in the opening match of the third Hetauda International Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Institute of Forestry grounds today.

Sujal Shrestha’s first half goal was enough for last year’s beaten finalists. Shrestha scored the goal from spot in the 29th minute. MMC got the penalty after APF’s Suraj Gurung brought down MMC’s foreign recruit Victor inside the box.

Anjan Bista, who joined MMC from departmental team APF yesterday, was named the man-of-the-match and he received Rs 5,000.

MMC coach Chhiring Lopsang Gurung said his side did not play as per the expectation due to absence of foreign players.

APF coach Ratna Kaji Maharjan accused the match official of awarding the penalty to MMC unnecessarily. “The MMC are one of the best teams but we had given them a tough time. The penalty turned the match into their favour,” said Maharjan, who added that the team would not miss the services of Anjan Bista.

A total of eight teams are competing in the tournament being organised by Suman Bhomjan Memorial Sports Foundation. The winners and runners-up of the tournament will get Rs 500,000 and Rs 300,000 respectively. Similarly, the best player will get Rs 50,000.