Hetauda, February 24

Defending champions Tribhuvan Army Club defeated Nepal Police Club 4-3 on penalties to win the title of the third Hetauda International Gold Cup Football Tournament here at the Institute of Forestry grounds today.

TAC emerged victorious in tie-breaker after both the teams failed to score in the regulation period of 90 minutes. TAC had defeated Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club 2-0 in last year’s final.

With the victory, TAC took the season’s tally to six titles. They also won Ruslan Simara Gold Cup, Nepal Ice Khaptad Gold Cup, Mechi Netralaya Kakarvitta Gold Cup, Satakshi Gold Cup in Jhapa and Bishal Memorial Gold Cup in Birgunj in the current season.

Santosh Tamang, Deep Lama, Bikesh Kuthu and Bibek Basnet converted their shots from the spot for TAC, while Nawayug Shrestha hit the post. Similarly, Suman Lama, Ajit Raj Bhandari and Dinesh Rajbanshi scored for NPC, whereas TAC goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu denied Tej Tamang and Buddha Lama.

Champions TAC received Rs 500,000, while runners-up NPC earned Rs 300,000. TAC’s Bimal Pandey was named the best player of the tournament and he pocketed Rs 50,000, while his teammate Bikesh Kuthu was awarded with the best goalkeeper. TAC’s Nabin Neupane was named the best coach.

Similarly, NPC’s Dinesh Rajbanshi was named the best defender, while his teammates Tej Tamang and Abhishek Rijal were adjudged the best midfielder and forward respectively. The individual award winners received Rs 15,000 each.

A total of eight teams took part in the tournament organised by Suman Bhomjan Memorial Sports Foundation in memory of sports journalist Suman Bhomjan, who lost his life in the devastating earthquake in 2015 that killed more than 8,000 people across the nation.