Kathmandu, October 4:

MMC striker Basanta Thapa played the last match of his career on Tuesday, scoring two goals in his club’s 5-0 thrashing over NRT in the Martyrs’ Memorial San Miguel League. Thapa is leaving for Japan on October 14 and will join Abispa Club in Fukuoko city. “I am going to Japan to study and I will try to continue playing football in my one-and-half year stay there,” said Thapa. All the things will be confirmed once I reach there and talk to the club officials,” said Thapa after the match. “They will check my skills and decide whether I can play football with the club or not,” he added. Asked if the match against NRT was the last of his career, Basanta said: “I would prefer to play as long as my body favours me.”

Basanta, who made his international debut in Nepal’s 1-0 loss to India in Bangkok Asian Games in 1998 replacing Deepak Amatya in the 80th minute, is the most popular striker in Nepali football and has scored five international goals. He played in the Under-16 Asia Cup qualifying tournament in Birgunj in 1997 and was the member of national team in pre-Olympic qualifying in 1999. In domestic football, Thapa joined Ranipokhari Corner Team in 1998 and guided his team to second Khukuri Cup victory beating MMC the next year. He scored in both the legs of the final held in Biratnagar and his hometown Butwal.

He joined MMC in 2000 and won the best player award in the 2001 league scoring 22 goals. He netted 14 goals in 2003 and won the highest scorer’s award next year with 20 goals. He also became the first player to score 50 goals in the league last year and has taken his tally to 79 goals after scoring two on Tuesday. So far, he is the leader in the highest scorer’s list in this year’s league with 17 goals. Before leaving the Dasharath Stadium on Tuesday, Thapa thanked all the fans and football lovers for their priceless support towards him and the sport.