Dharan, February 25

Nepal Police Club won the title of the 19th International Invitational Red Bull Budha Subba Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the ANFA Technical Centre grounds today.

NPC defeated CMG Club Sankata in sudden death in the final match after both the teams played a 1-1 draw in the regulation period of 80 minutes and remained tied at 3-3 on penalties.

In sudden death, Bhola Silwal, Roshan Khadka and Suraj Ghimire converted their shots for NPC, while Kuldip Karki and Patrick John scored for Sankata before Binay Shrestha was denied by NPC goalie Roshan Khadka.

In penalty shootout, Tej Tamang, Jumanu Rai and Abhishek Rijal converted their shots from the spot for NPC, while Anil Gurung, Sushil KC and Amit Tamang scored for Sankata.

Earlier, Raj Paudel put Sankata ahead in the 28th minute following a pass from Ajayi Martins.

However, NPC skipper Jumanu Rai levelled the scores in the 80thminute through a spot kick. NPC earned the penalty after Sankata’s Anil Gurung brought down NPC’s Buddha Lama inside the box.

Champions NPC earned a cash purse of Rs 500,000, while Sankata received Rs 250,000. Sankata’s goalie Binay Shrestha was named the best player of the

tournament and received a motorbike.

NPC’s Roshan Khadka, who was named the man-of-the-match, also won the best goalkeeper’s award, while Bikram Dhimal and Jumanu Rai were adjudged the best defender and best striker respectively. Heman Gurung of Dharan FC was the best midfielder, while NPC’s Kumar Katuwal was declared the best coach.

The individual award winners received Rs 15,000 each. Rajin Subba of Dharan FC was named the rising player of the tournament and got Rs 10,000.