Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club stunned Three Star Club 1-0 in the final to lift the 13th Bikash Running Shield football tournament title in Campachaur, Narayangadh, on Saturday.

Biku Lama scored an early fourth minute goal for APF which ultimately was sufficient for them to stun the top tier heavyweights Three Star. The victory was also solace for APF who had lost the final of Jaycees Cup four months ago at the same venue against Manang Marshyangdi Club. It was also the first title of the season for APF who had lost in four major finals previously. The win fetched APF Rs 500,000 and runners-up Three Star got Rs 250,000.

APF began the game cautiously and Lama surprised the Lalitpur-based outfit early in the game after capitalised on a cross of forward Shyam Nepali to send the ball at the back of net.

Three Star, chasing a third title in their fifth appearance in final of knockout tournaments, also made some brilliant moves but ran out of luck. Bishnu Gurung and Sunil Bal’s strikes crashed into the bar in the 16th and 19th minutes. Three Star could have equalised in the 18th but Nirajan Khadka squandered a one-versus-one situation with APF custodian . Three Star glovesman Alan Neupane kept his side in the hunt after denying Roop Bahadur Lama in the 25th minute.

APF coach Ratnakaji Maharjan was satisfied with the performance from his young side. “It was a young team for us but they did really against a star-studded side,” said Maharjan. His Three Star counterpart Meghraj KC said his team played only half to their potential. APF defender Ramesh Dangal scooped the best player award and pocketed Rs 50,000. The knockout tournament featured 12 teams in total.