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Aaha Gold Cup in Pokhara

Nepal Police Club (NPC) outfought Armed Police Force (APF) Club 2-0 in a battle of the police to lift the Sixth Aaha Gold Cup on Saturday at the Pokhara Stadium. The league champion also bagged a cash prize of Rs 100,000 along with the prestigious trophy to its name while APF had to make do with Rs 50,000.

The thrilling and the fitting final to the tournament went to the extra-time after both sides failed to score in the normal time. Jumanu Rai had the best chance to make the breakthrough in the normal period but APF's Nar Kumar Rai cleared his well-timed header off the line to keep his side in the final.

NPC deservedly opened the scoring with just a minute into the first half of extra-time. Again it was Ananta Thapa, who stepped up to the plate when his side needed him big time to put NPC ahead. Ananta caught APF goalie Chandan Sarkar well out of his position with a quick freekick from the edge of the penalty box, much to the disbelief of APF defenders and the goalkeeper. Chandan replaced APF's first choice goalkeeper Samit Raj Bhandari after Samit broke his finger in the opening match but Chandan's campaign had no fairytale ending.

NPC then sealed the final and the title through Jumanu Rai from the spot-kick in the 21st minute of the extra period. NPC was awarded the penalty kick after Bhola Silwal was brought down inside the box by APF defender Ratna Kaji Maharjan.

posted by kamala @ 9:26 PM