Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) claimed the title of the second Satashi Gold Cup football tournament with a 2-1 victory over Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) in a tensed final in Jhiljhile, Jhapa on Thursday.

TAC had taken an early 18th minute lead through George Prince Karki and doubled up in the 44th minute through Nawayug Shrestha. Skipper and retired national footballer Anil Gurung replied for MMC in the 64th minute but TAC held on to claim the title. The champions also collected a cash purse of Rs 500,000 and runners-up MMC got Rs 250,000.

In the match between two top tier teams, national team’s new entrant Karki converted a freekick from just outside the area after Sullah Suleman was adjudged to have brought down Shrestha. The tensed moment struck just moment before half time when Shrestha struck in a solo effort after dribbling the ball from the midfield.

Shrestha’s shot pierced through the net and match referee gave it a goal and promptly MMC players protested that the ball had not entered the goal. It took more than 50 minutes to resume the game with the match officials sticking to their decision. MMC vice-captain Biraj Maharjan later claimed his team was victimised by a wrong decision.

MMC struck 19 minutes after resumption when Dona Thapa’s cross found Gurung right outside the goal line and the skipper perfectly delivered the ball inside the

post. TAC’s Shrestha was given the highest scorer’s award with three goals. He got Rs 25,000.

Other individual award winners included Suman Aryal (defender), Karki (forward) of TAC, MMC’s Thapa (midfielder) and coach Navin Neupane. The best individuals got Rs 20,000 each. Satashidham Sporting Club was handed the Fair Play Team honour. The tournament was participated in by six ‘A’ Division clubs, hosts and one foreign invitee.