NRT lifts 29th All India Governor's Gold Cup

Gangtok, Nov 7 (UNI) NRT, Nepal, lifted the coveted All India Governor's Gold Cup, scraping past arch rival Three Star, Nepal, 2-1 at the Paljor stadium here today.

This was the fifth time a Nepal team won the Governor's Gold Cup.

Out of this, three different Nepal teams, coached by Suwal, won the Cup in 1990, 1992 and 1997.

Playing before a capacity crowd, NRT drew the first blood in the 19th minute with a close range shot from its striker Nirajan Paymajhi.

Three Star wasted a golden opportunity to equalise in the 31st minute when Lok Bahadur Gurung blasted a penalty shot into the stand.

However, Jumanu Rai compensated for his teammate's miss with a wonderful equaliser. Drifting down the right box, Rai smashed a rasping drive that left the NRT goalie clueless. It was his fifth goal in the tournament.

Three Star was again taken aback by an NRT strike early in the second half. The entire defence stood rooted as NRT defender Bal Gopal Shaukhal connected a corner that crashed into the net in the 59th minute.

This proved to be the winning goal for NRT, who pocketed a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh along with the championship trophy, which was presented by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.

NRT midfielder Basanta Gauchan took the Valuable Player award of the tournament, while his star striker Anil Gurung was adjudged the man of the match.

Punjab Police, which lost in the semis, was adjudged the most disciplined team of the tournament.

UNI