Sahara Football Club lifts 12th Aaha Rara Gold Cup

2014-03-15
Sahara Football Club (SFC) created history as they defeated League champions Manang Marshyagdi Club (MMC) to lift 12th Aaha Rara Gold Cup title 2014 for the first time. Saroj Dahal scored the match winning goal against MMC to win this title for the first time.

MMC started the match in good note and Anil Gurung’s header was hardly saved by SFC’s custodian Sagar Gurung in the 3rd minute of the match. Gurung collected a good pass from Biraj Maharjan and formal ones superb did not troubled custodian Sagar Gurung in the 6th minute. SFC made their first attempt in the 7th minute when Heman Gurung gave a quick pass to Victor but latter one failed to utilize the chance.  Heman Gurung’s free kick in the 9th minute went little wide from the target before his ambitious shot was well saved by MMC’s custodian Bishal Shrestha 3 minutes later. Biraj Maharjan’s shot was well cleared by SFC’s custodian Sagar Gurung in the 22nd minute. Sujal Shrestha of MMC also failed to utilize the free kick in the 27th minute his free kick was well cleared by Krishna Kunwar. Biraj Maharjan did his best to block SFC forward Ashim Jung Karki’s shot in the 28th minute.  MMC forward Anil Gurung wasted a golden chance to score in the 30th minute his shot went wide. SFC forward Ashim Jung Karki did his best to beat national captain Sagar Thapa but Karki’s shot went little above the bar in the 33rd minute. MMC was lucky not to concede spot kick in the 40th minute when their skipper Sagar Thapa handled the ball but referee ruled it out. In the second half SFC tried to play offensive match and Anil Ojha almost strike in the 51st minute but Ojha’s strike was hardly saved by MMC’s custodian Bishal Shrestha. Custodian Bishal Shrestha did his best to deny Ashim Jung Karki’s free kick a minute later. Sahara Football Club took a lead in the 53rd minute when Saroj Dahal scored through header to utilize Heman Gurung’s corner kick to take 1-0 up against MMC. SFC almost doubled their lead but Ashim Jung Karki hit the cross bar in the 58th minute. MMC looked desperate to level the score in the 65th minute but Saheed Aziz’s header went little wide. Ashim Jung Karki wasted so many chances in today’s match and he did same in the 69th minute when he missed a free shot from the box in the 69th minute. Victor’s superb free kick in the 80th minute was well denied by MMC’s custodian Bishal Shrestha. In the remaining time MMC failed to break the deadlock of SFC and match ended in favor of SFC. Winning goal scorer Saroj Dahal was adjusted the man of the match; meanwhile Sujal Shrestha of MMC received Rs 15,000 cash prize for being the highest goal scorer of the tournament with 4 goals, likewise Sujal Shrestha also became the best forward of the tournament. SFC’s custodian Sagar Gurung was declared best goalkeeper of the tournament. Similarly, Peter Segun and Heman Gurung of SFC were awarded with the best defender and best midfielder of the tournament. Heman Gurung received Motor Bike for being the best player of the tournament.