SIMARA, APRIL 16
The Nepal Police Club clinched the title of the Jagadamba Steel 14th Jeetpur Simara Gold Cup in a thrilling final at the Simara Stadium on Monday night, edging out Machindra Football Club 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout. This marks the first tournament title secured by the Nepal Police in the Simara Gold Cup.
After the goalless draw in both the regulation 90 minutes and extra time, the match went into a tiebreaker ultimately favoring the departmental team of the Nepal Police.
Goalkeeper Amit Tamang, brought on by NPC Coach Chetan Ghimire late in extra time specifically for the shootout, delivered a stellar performance by denying two crucial strikes from Machhindra, leading his team to victory.
The match saw notable performances from players on both sides, with Vishal Tamang, Sanish Shrestha, and Diwakar Chaudhary scoring for Machhindra in the shootout while the shots of Saurabh Limbu and Chandan Das were thwarted by the police goalkeeper.
On the other hand, goals from Captain Ramchandra Waje, Pujan Rai, Sujan Magar, and Ashish Rai ensured Police's triumph.
The fiercely contested match where both teams struggled to convert opportunities into goals, also witnessed disciplinary actions, with players from both teams receiving cards.
Machhindra was reduced to nine players toward the end of the allotted time, with Utsab Rai seeing red card in the 84th minute and Manish Dangi exiting the field after a double yellow in the 88th minute. Although limited to nine players, Machhindra kept the police club under pressure in the extra time of the match.
Police goalkeeper Amit Tamata was declared the Player of the Match, receiving a trophy and a cash prize of 10,000 rupees sponsored by Shubharambh College of Management. Additionally, Sanjit Shrestha of Police was recognized as the Best Goalkeeper, receiving a trophy and a cash prize of 25,000 rupees. Police's Ujwawal Rai and Birgunj United Club's Faguram Chaudhary became the top scorers of the tournament with 2 goals each. They received a trophy with 25,000 cash.
The fair play trophy of the competition was received by the organizing team, Nawa Jana Jagriti Youth Club, Simara and its player Prajwal Thapamgar received the title of Emerging Player of the Tournament and 15,000 cash.
Bimal Ghartimar of Machchindra was declared the best player of the tournament, receiving a TVS scooter.
