The third Ilam Gold Cup football tournament kicked off in Ilam with Pathari 11 Morang defeating the host RedHers Football Club in the opening match. The competition features eight teams, including two foreign clubs. The winner will receive a prize of 1 million Nepalese rupees along with a trophy, medals, and certificates, while the runner-up will be awarded 500,000 rupees in prizes.
On 5th Baisakh, at the local playing field, Thulo Tundikhel, Pathari 11 Morang secured a promising start by overcoming the host RedHers in a penalty shootout with a 4-2 margin. The match ended 1-1 in regulation time before being decided by the tiebreaker. RedHers’ Sandesh Khadka gave the home team an early lead by scoring in the third minute.
The game was highly competitive between the two sides. RedHers maintained their lead until injury time, when Pathari 11’s Saurya Raut equalized to send the match into a tie. In the subsequent penalty shootout, Pathari 11 Morang delivered an outstanding performance to clinch the win. Ashish Lawati of Pathari 11 was named Player of the Match for his excellent display.
The tournament was inaugurated by Suhang Nembang, the Member of Parliament representing Ilam Constituency No. 2. On Sunday, the competition will continue with a match between Rolling Sporting Club Dhulabari from Jhapa and Fidim Sporting Club from Panchthar. The event features participation from eight teams, both domestic and foreign.
