Relentless Manang crush Army to lift Gurkha Cup

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KATHMANDU, JUN 16 -

Manang Marshyangdi Club took home their first ever Gurkha Cup title after Sulav Maskey completed a sensational hat-trick in a 4-1 rout of Nepal Army Club in the final showdown of the tournament at Dashrath Stadium on Saturday.

Maskey put his side in the driving seat as early as eight minute into the match, which was shortly followed by Anil Gurung’s opening goal for Manang. Army did cut the deficit before going in for the break but their endeavour to pull off a comeback was cut short as Maskey immediately doubled his tally after the start of the second half and wrapped up his hat-trick in the closing minutes of the match.  

Army were considered favourites to clinch the title as they had reached the final without conceding a goal and they had even defeated Manang 1-0 in the group stage. However, as stated by Manang coach Amrit Panta, his side had recovered from their previous loss and calculated better strategies to take out their fellow finalists.

“This time we played offensively rather than defensively which we had done in the group match against Army. The plan was to score the first goal and hold the lead till the end.”

Just as Army were beginning to settle in the match, Manang left them trailing after Maskey granted their lead in the eighth minute. Gurung’s diving header failed to connect on Shiva Shrestha’s cross from the right flank and the ball rolled through to unmarked Maskey who let loose a superb finish to the top left corner.

Army’s prolific midfielder Tanka Basnet considered this moment to be the turning point of the match. “We were hampered by conceding an early goal and we were not allowed enough time settle in properly.”

“The opponents also did a commendable job in restricting our wingers from getting space and executing a break,” Basnet added since Army are known to pose a severe threat from the flanks.

Manang were aware that leading by a goal was not sufficient and they stuck to their offensive play which paid off as Gurung provided their second of the game in the 17th minute. Deepak Rai curled a cross from the right which was utilised by Bishal Rai B to set up Gurung who dispatched a spectacular scorcher that landed to the bottom left corner.  

Kashi Raj Karki got one back for the reluctant armymen in the 29th minute. Basnet charged from the left flank dogding tackles by the Manang’s defenders. Manang custodian Bishal Shrestha came off his line to make the clearance but Basnet cut across to Karki who guided the ball towards an unguarded post.  

Army kept assaulting their opposite end in search for the equiliser but the action-packed first half witnessed no more goals.

However, only two minutes after the break, Manang took their score to a greater pinnacle as they conjured a scenario similar to the movement that led to the first goal. This time the cross from the right flank was delivered by Rupesh KC and once again Gurung fell just short and the ball rolled onward to Maskey who pierced it past Army keeper Ful Bahadur Lama.

Army’s hope to claim the Cup glory faded with each passing minute, while Manang were egarly waiting for the final whistle to blow. Maskey wrapped up the show after completing his first hat-trick for Manang in a remarkable fashion with just a minute of regulation time left to be played. After receiving a pass from Deepak Rai, Maskey fancied his chances from the edge of the box and his brilliant attempt soared to the back of the net.

Manang were awarded Rs 1 million cash prize, while Army had to be content with Rs 500,000. The two other semi-finalists Boys Union Club and Three Star Club received Rs 100,000 each.