Pokhara, January 12:

Ananta Thapa and Ju Manu Rai scored in the extra time as Nepal Police Club (NPC) beat Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club 2-0 to win the sixth Aaha Gold Cup Football Tournament here today.

After missing a couple of chances by both the departmental teams in the regular 90-minute of play, Ananta Thapa scored for NPC in the second minute of extra time when his 25-yard superb free kick sailed into the roof of the nets leaving APF goalie Chandan Sarkar stranded in the goal line. NPC earned the free kick after APF skipper Dhanbir Chaudhary fouled Ju Manu Rai.

Ju Manu ensured the National League champions their third title here adding another goal eight minutes from time. Ju Manu converted the spot kick which they earned when APF’s Durga Raj Lawat brought down Bhola Silwal inside the penalty zone. NPC added the third championship here after winning the Caravan Gold Cup and the first Aaha Gold Cup — both organised by Sahara Club.

Earlier, Parbat Pandey hit the woodwork in the 15th minute and Ananta struck straight into the hands of APF goalie Sarkar nine minutes later. Had APF defender Nar Kumar Rai not cleared Ju Manu’s header from the goal line, NPC would have won the match in regular time. Ganesh Lawati also missed a rare chance for APF in the 35th minute when he headed weakly into the hands of NPC custodian Ritesh Thapa.

NPC coach Birat Krishna Shrestha said the destructive play of their opponents caused greater trouble. “We were finding difficulty in creating chances,” said Shrestha adding that his team had more pressure to win against the underdogs like APF. “We were playing for prestige.”

APF coach Dambar Singh Gurung was happy that his boys gave tough time to the better side. Gurung also said that the match turned the NPC way after goalie Sarkar conceded a silly goal in free kick. “I knew whoever scores first in the extra time would win the match and when they scored, it was all over for us.” Gurung said adding Sarkar could have denied Thapa only had he been a bit alert.

NPC skipper Rakesh Shrestha was named the man of the match while Ganesh Lawati of APF was declared the best player of the tournament and won a motorcycle. Ananta, Lawati and Bishnu KC of Sahara Club were jointly awarded the highest goal-scorer award (three goals).

NPC earned a cheque of Rs 100,000 while APF bagged Rs 50,000. Likewise, Dharan Football Club took away the fair play award. All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) president Ganesh Thapa among others gave away the prizes.