Jhapa XI defended the title of Mai Valley Gold Cup football tournament on Saturday defeating Tribhuvan Army Club 4-2 in tiebreaker in the final. 

Jhapa custodian Kishor Giri saved two spot kicks to deny Army from lifting the fourth title of the season. He denied Jitendra Karki and Deep Lama from the spot. The fate of the winner was decided through tiebreaker after the regulation 90 and extra 15 minutes of time ended in 0-0 deadlock.

Rajin Dhimal, Buddha Chemjong, Ranjit Shrestha and Karna Limbu converted from spots for Jhapa while Santosh Tamang and George Prince Karna were only successful from spot for Army. Jhapa, who won second title of the season after Mechi Netralaya Kakadvitta Gold Cup in Jhapa, received Rs 400,000 along with the winners’ trophy. Army, who had won the Hetauda Gold Cup, Nepal Cup in Chitwan and Duhabi Gold Cup this season, earned Rs 250,000. 

Bivek Basnet of Army was declared the best player of the tournament and won Yamaha motorbike while his Santosh Tamang won the best midfielder award and his Army teammate Tanka Basnet the best forward accolade. Jhapa’s Giri (best goalkeeper), Dilen Loktan (best defender) and Sanjay Rai (best coach) won other individual honours. Abinash Limbu of hosts Mai Valley was named the emerging player. The 10-team tournament was jointly organised by Mai Valley Football Club and Ilam District Football Association.