Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) claimed their second title in a month after a 4-1 tie breaker victory over Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) in the final of Suman Bhomjan Memorial International Gold Cup football tournament here on Saturday.

Fresh from winning the Aaha-Rara Gold Cup in Pokhara, MMC prevailed over fellow top tier side TAC in penalties after the 90-minute regulation time and 20 minutes of extra time ended on a goalless draw. MMC had also defeated TAC in the final of Aaha-Rara Gold Cup. The title made MMC richer by Rs 300,000 and TAC took Rs 150,000.

African recruits Sissoko and Balo Moussa along with Sujal Shrestha and Anil Gurung converted from the spot for MMC with only Jitendra Karki managing to hit the target for the departmental side. Hiranya Magar and Santosh Tamang shot off the target.

While MMC saw the return of Biraj Maharjan and Bishal Rai and TAC fielded striker Nawayug Shrestha and goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu following their triumphant return from 12th South Asian Games. It was MMC who created the first scoring chance but their African recruit Oladipo Olawale Afeez missed on a one on one encounter with Kuthu early in the game. 

Kuthu was at his best denying Bishwash Shrestha in half hour mark with a fine save. Shrestha, who came into the game hitting limelight with the SA Games, had an opportunity in the 57th minute but his shot was perfectly foiled by MMC custodian Kiran Chemjong. Kuthu was adjudged the man-of-the-final.

Afeez was named the best player of the tournament who pocketed Rs 30,000 for scoring four goals that included a hat-trick. Chemjong (goalkeeper), Gurung (forward), Tanka Basnet (midfielder) and Karki (defender) and MMC coach Chhiring Lhopsang Gurung walked away with the individual awards with each of them getting Rs 10,000 apiece.

A total of eight teams including two foreign invitees had participated in the event organised in memory of sports journalist Bhomjan who was killed at his rented house in Kathmandu following the April 25 Great Quake.