Three Star Club secured their maiden Simara Gold Cup in their tenth attempt after beating Tribhuvan Army Club in a sudden death at the Simara Stadium on Saturday. 

With the win Three Star also avenged the 1-0 loss in last year’s final to the same opponent. The star-studded Three Star rode on heroics of custodian Alan Neupane who denied two shots from the spot. The fate of the winners was decided in the sudden death after the match ended goalless in 90 minutes and the tie-breaker ended in 4-4.

In the tie-breaker, skipper Bharat Khawas, Deep Lama, Bivek Basnet and Santosh Tamang converted for the departmental team while Sunil Bal was denied by custodian Neupane. Three Star’s Ranjit Dhimal, Rupesh KC, Bikram Lama and Ananta Tamang scored from the spot as Nepal international Sunil Bal was denied by Army goalie Bikesh Kuthu. 

Three Star’s foreign recruit Fode Fofana, Ranjan Bista and Sushil Rai converted their shots from the spot in the sudden death, while Bikash Tamang and Bikash Khawas scored the first two goals in the sudden death before Suman Aryal was denied by Neupane.

The first knockout title of the season fetched Three Star Rs600,000 while Army walked bagged Rs300,000.  Last Saturday, Three Star had lost 1-0 to Nepal Police Club in the Khaptad Gold Cup final in Dhangadhi, while Army had come into this tournment on the back of their triumph over Himalayan Sherpa in the final of Bishal Gold Cup in Birgunj. 

Three Star’s Sushil Rai, who was declared the best player of the tournament, received a two wheeler. His teammates Neupane was adjudged the best goalkeeper and Malian Adama Doumbia won the best defender award. Three Star’s Meghraj KC was named the best coach. Army’s Santosh Tamang and Tanka Basnet won awards for the best midfielder and forward respectively. All of them received cash prize of Rs 20,000 each.