Bimal Rana struck a timely hat-trick to help Bijay Youth Club (BYC) of Hetauda lift the seventh Simara Gold Cup following a crushing 4-0 victory over Rupandehi XI here on Saturday. 

After opening the scoring in the 21st minute, BYC completed a successful final campaign scoring three goals in the second half. Both the teams were making their first ever appearance in the tournament and it was BYC who had the most memorable debut. Along with the title, BYC grabbed a cash purse of Rs 551,000 and Rupandehi got Rs 250,000. 

It was Rupandehi who had the first chance in the game. Deepak Rai fed Ganesh Khadka inside the area but the midfielder’s shot sailed inches above the cross bar. BYC kept pressing from the other half and Rana put them ahead heading home a corner from Sunil Bal. Khadka missed another scoring chance when he failed to convert in an open net after BYC keeper Ashok Baral was beaten.

Wasteful Khadka was replaced in the 34th minute soon after his shot on a cross from Rai hit the cross bar. Luck continued to desert Rupandehi as Anil Gurung, who had replaced Khadka, was denied from the goal line by defender Sanjay Rajbahak with Baral leaving the post unguarded. 

While Rupandehi missed one after another opportunity, BYC converted the chances that came their way. The lead doubled 13 minutes into the second half with Bal converting a cross from Sunil BK and Rana all but killed the game one minute later. The forward once again directed Bal’s corner into the goal to put BYC 3-0 up. 

Any chance of Rupandehi comeback ended when Rana completed his hat-trick in the 79th minute. It was a day of delight for Rana who was adjudged the best player of the tournament that won him a motorbike. He also ended up collecting the highest scorer’s award with five goals. 

Yogesh Gurung (forward), Shiva Shrestha (midfielder) and Devendra Tamang (defender) of Rupandehi along with Ashok Baral (goalkeeper) and Subin Ghimire (coach) of BYC were declared the best individuals. They earned Rs 15,000 apiece.