Church Boys and Sahlesh Youth Club will face off in the final of the third International Taplejung Gold Cup, scheduled for Saturday. Church Boys Club of Lalitpur and Sahlesh Youth Club of Siraha secured their spots after thrilling semifinal victories.
In Wednesday’s semifinal, Church Boys defeated Sunsari’s The Young Brothers Football Club 3–1 in a tiebreaker. Sunsari initially took the lead with an own goal by Church Boys in the 77th minute. However, a free-kick goal by Suman Shrestha in the 93rd minute leveled the score, pushing the game into a tiebreaker.
During the tiebreaker, only Niroj Khadka from Sunsari managed to score, while Vishal Tamang, Nivas Paudel, and Yugan Rai missed their attempts. Church Boys’ Suman Shrestha, Roshan Pahadi, and Yubaraj Dhakal successfully converted their penalties, while Navyug Shrestha missed, resulting in a 3–1 victory and a place in the final.
In Thursday’s second semifinal, Sahlesh defeated Red Star Club Jhapa 2–0. Yusuf Malik scored both goals, the first in the 13th minute and the second in the 48th minute, securing Sahlesh’s spot in the final against Church Boys.
Church Boys, winners of the first edition of the tournament when it was held as the Pathivara Gold Cup, are aiming to claim the title again. Sahlesh, runners-up in the second edition, are determined to go one step further this year.
At a press conference held on Friday at the Lakhe Jatra Organizing Committee office, both teams’ captains and coaches expressed their readiness for the final. The teams feature national players and A-Division players.
The winner of the Gold Cup, held as part of the Lakhe Jatra festival, will receive NPR 702,082 in cash, while the runner-up will get NPR 350,082, along with trophies, medals, and certificates. The best player of the match will win a bike, and other outstanding players in various categories will also receive cash prizes.
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