Pokhara: Sankata Football Club has won the title of the 22nd edition of the “National and International Inter-Club Invitational AAHA Rara Pokhara Gold Cup”. Sankata became the champion for the second time after defeating Bhutanese Youth Sports Club (BYSC), Minnesota, USA, 3-2 in the final match held at Pokhara Stadium today.
Sankta had previously won the title of the 20th edition as well. The winning team received a shield, medal and certificate along with Rs.12 lakhs. The runner-up Bhutanese Youth Club received a shield, medal and certificate along with Rs.6 lakh.
Suraj Thakuri, Mesuke Olamau and Sunil Bal contributed one goal each to make Sankata champions. René Santillan and Willis Griffith scored for runners-up Bhutanese Youth Club.
In the seventh minute of the game, Suraj Thakuri’s goal Sankata took the lead. Similarly, in the 35th minute of the game, Mesuke doubled the lead. For Bhutanese Youth Club, Rene Santillan scored the 37th minute of the game and Willis Griffith scored the second goal in extra time of the first half.
No goals were scored in the second half of the game. After the scheduled 90 minutes ended in a draw, the match was pushed to extra time. The first half of extra time ended in a goalless draw. But in the 117th minute Sunil Bal scored the decisive goal and made the team the champion.
Sunil Bal of Sankata was declared the best player of the tournament. He received an LG Electric Scooter. Ayush Ghalan of Sankata was awarded the best midfielder, Tikendra Thapa of Sankata was awarded the best goalkeeper, Stephan Binong of Sankata was the best forward and Hector Ortega of Bhutan got the title of the best defender.
Sankata’s Salyan Khadgi was declared the best coach of the tournament. All of them received a prize of Rs. 25,000 each.
