
Kaski-11 emerged victorious in the 25th edition of the Adarsha Cup, defeating APF Gandaki 2-1 in a thrilling final held today. The match, played at a packed lekhnath stadium, saw dramatic turns of events, with both teams showcasing strong performances.
APF Gandaki took the lead in the first half, courtesy of a brilliant strike by Prabin Syantang. His goal, scored in the 25th minute, seemed to put the APF team in a strong position heading into the break.
However, Kaski-11 responded fiercely in the second half. Anuj Bhandari equalized for Kaski-11 with a well-timed header in the 58th minute, sending the supporters into a frenzy. Just moments later, Kaski-11's Sangam Thakuri capitalized on a counter-attack to score the decisive goal, giving Kaski-11 a 2-1 lead and ultimately securing the victory.
Award Winners:
The match was not only about the final score but also celebrated the individual talents that made an impact throughout the tournament:
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Best Goalkeeper: Ayushman Gurung (Kaski) – For his exceptional shot-stopping skills and commanding presence in goal, Ayushman earned the Best Goalkeeper award, taking home NPR 15,000.
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Best Defender: Santosh Shrestha (APF) – Santosh was a rock at the back for APF and was awarded the Best Defender accolade, also receiving NPR 15,000.
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Best Midfielder: Ankit Gurung (Kaski) – Ankit's vision and creativity in midfield were key to Kaski's dominance, earning him the Best Midfielder title and NPR 15,000.
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Top Scorer: Prabin Syantang (APF) – Despite his team's loss, Prabin was the tournament's top scorer with his impressive displays, receiving NPR 15,000 for his efforts.
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Best Coach: Yogendra Thakai (Kaski) – The mastermind behind Kaski-11’s triumph, Coach Yogendra was named the Best Coach and awarded NPR 15,000 for his tactical brilliance.
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Best Player: Anish Tamang (Kaski) – The standout performer of the tournament, Anish was named the Best Player, and his stellar performances were rewarded with NPR 25,000.
Prize Money:
- Champion (Kaski-11): NPR 425,525
- Runner-up (APF Gandaki): NPR 225,525