Machhindra FC Clinches Seventh Jhapa Gold Cup Title After Defeating APF

Jhapa. Machhindra Football Club Kathmandu has won the title of the Seventh Jhapa Gold Cup after defeating the Armed Police Force (APF) Football Club by a score of 3-1.

Machhindra, featuring a majority of players from Jhapa, lifted the Jhapa Gold Cup trophy for the first time. Along with the title, Machhindra received a cash prize of NPR 1.5 million, while the runner-up APF settled for NPR 750,000. This edition of the Jhapa Gold Cup is considered the tournament with the highest prize money to date.

Machhindra took the lead in the 31st minute, putting APF behind. Striker Pradeep Budhathoki scored from a pass by foreign player Ayola Hamzat to put his team ahead. Then, in the first half's injury time (45th minute), Frank Anoh converted a long shot by Devendra Tamang into a goal, putting Machhindra in a comfortable 2-0 position.

APF attempted to find their rhythm in the second half. In the 76th minute, defender Man Bahadur Rana Magar received a red card, reducing APF to 10 players. A few minutes later, in the 82nd minute, Dipesh Ghimire attempted to bring APF back into the game after clearing a free-kick from Bishwas Udas, but the clearance was unsuccessful. However, Machhindra scored the decisive goal just a minute later. Defender Alisson Alizonov headed in a corner from Ayola Hamzat to secure the victory.

Machhindra's Pradeep Budhathoki was declared the 'Player of the Match' and received a cash prize of NPR 25,000. Pemba Tamang was declared the best player of the tournament and received a Yamaha motorcycle. Best Goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha, Best Coach Pravesh Katuwal, and Top Scorer Jonathan Jorilla were also awarded. They each received a prize of NPR 35,000.

Furthermore, among the spectators who bought tickets, Birtamod's Priti Moktan won a Yamaha scooter through a lottery draw. The tournament featured participation from three departmental teams from Nepal, various 'A' Division clubs, and clubs from India, Bhutan, and Malaysia.