ITAHARI, APRIL 7

Sagarmatha Football Club came from two goals down to stun Manang Marshyangdi Club 4-2 and advanced to the final of the 12th International Itahari Gold Cup here at the Itahari Stadium today.

Aashish Lama scored a brace, while Bhuwan Basnet and Aawash Lamichhane netted one goal each for the Morang-based Sagarmatha FC. Skipper Anjan Bista and Olawale Afeez scored one apiece for MMC, who had lost in the final of the previous edition.

The Martyrs Memorial A Division League runners-up, MMC squandered a twogoal lead. MMC made a bright start with skipper Bista putting the team ahead in the 20th minute and they doubled the tally 10 minutes later after Afeez found the back of the nets. MMC lost momentum in the second half and conceded three goals in the space of five minutes. Lama reduced the deficit in the 66th minute from the spot after MMC's Pujan Uperkoti handled the ball inside the penalty box.

Lama levelled the scores four minutes later, while Basnet made it 3-2 for Sagarmatha in the 71st minute.

Lamichhane sealed the victory with his side's fourth goal in the 85th minute.

Lama was named the player of the match and he earned Rs 10,000.

MMC - who came to Itahari after winning Sudurpashchim Khaptad Gold Cup and Damak Gold Cup - saw their dreams of winning third title of the season dashed by a local club, who have included players from A division outfits Three Star Club and Nepal APF Football Club. Sagarmatha had made it to the semis with a 3-0 victory over Jeetpur-Simara Gold Cup winners New Road Team.

Sagarmatha will face defending champions Tribhuvan Army Football Club in final on Saturday. Top two teams will receive Rs 700,000 and Rs 350,000 respectively.

A version of this article appears in the print on April 8, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.