Three Star Club has won the 9th edition of the Birat Gold Cup football tournament. In the final match held at Sahid Rangasala in Biratnagar, Three Star defeated A Division League champions Church Boys United by 2-0 to claim the title.
A Strong Performance in the Final
Three Star Club, who had previously won the tournament once before, delivered a dominant performance in the final. Khemraj Shrestha opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a well-placed shot following a pass from Nabin Lama. In the 63rd minute, Dipesh Ghale extended the lead, sealing the victory for his team.
Church Boys United started the match aggressively, but Three Star countered with a well-organized tactical approach that secured them the win.
Prizes and Rewards
As champions, Three Star Club received NPR 11 lakh along with the trophy. The runner-up, Church Boys United, took home NPR 5 lakh. This was Church Boys United’s first appearance in a Birat Gold Cup final.
Dipesh Ghale, the tournament’s top scorer, was recognized for his excellent performance. Three Star’s head coach, Ganesh Khadka, was named Best Coach, while their goalkeeper, Bibek Magar, was awarded Best Goalkeeper. Khemraj Shrestha was declared the Best Player of the Tournament.
Three Star’s Road to Victory
Three Star defeated Machhindra FC 2-1 in the quarterfinals and then overcame Tribhuwan Army Club 3-2 in the semifinals to reach the final. On the other hand, Church Boys United secured their final spot by defeating Nepal Police Club in the semifinals.
Controversy Over Live Broadcast
The tournament faced criticism from fans after the organizers stopped broadcasting the matches live after just three games. The reason cited was low ticket sales, which disappointed many supporters who were unable to attend the games in person. This decision led to widespread complaints, as fans had expected to watch the entire tournament online.
A Grand Tournament
This year’s Birat Gold Cup featured top teams from Nepal and included competitive matches throughout the tournament. The champion team was awarded a trophy named after the Koshi River. The tournament was successfully organized, and the closing ceremony was attended by various sports officials and dignitaries.
With this victory, Three Star Club has further solidified its reputation as a strong football club in Nepal. Their consistent performances over the years highlight their strength in Nepali football.
