Sports
Fallen giants RCT clinch ‘B’ Division League title
Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT), one of the most successful teams in domestic football, clinched the Martyrs Memorial ‘B’ Division League title defeating Shree Bhagawati Club 1-0 in the last game at the ANFA Complex grounds in Satdobato on Tuesday.Sports Bureau
Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT), one of the most successful teams in domestic football, clinched the Martyrs Memorial ‘B’ Division League title defeating Shree Bhagawati Club 1-0 in the last game at the ANFA Complex grounds in Satdobato on Tuesday.
Lokendra Karki headed home the lone goal in the 23rd minute to seal the title in the last game of the Super League which was virtually the final. The six-time ‘A’ Division League champions RCT were relegated from the top-tier football in 2013-14 season. Despite the victory, RCT will not elevate the Kathmandu-based team to ‘A’ Division as All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has scrapped provisions of promotion and relegation this season.
Karki headed home a Unam Budathoki corner from the crowded zone to score the all-important goal. Going into the last match of the Super League, both RCT and Shree Bhagawati had six points. RCT finished with maximum nine points from three matches, three points clear of Shree Bhagawati. The late fixture of the day saw Tushal Youth Club prevail 2-1 over Satdobato Youth Club to claim the third-place finish. With their first win in the Super League, Tushal finished with three points while Satdobato failed to open their account.
RCT bagged Rs 800,000 and Shree Bhagawati collected Rs 500,000. Third-place finishers Tushal received Rs 300,000 and Satdobato walked away with Rs 200,000. Birendra Limbu of Satdobato was declared the best forward while Darsan Gurung of Shree Bhagawati won the best midfielder honour. Karki of RCT took the best defender award while Binod Sodari of Tushal won the best goalkeeper accolade. RCT’s Baiju Kapali was declared the best coach. All five individuals received Rs 25,000 each. The second-tier league featured 12 teams, who were divided into two pools. Top two teams from each pool made it to the Super League.