It’s an all-Nepal final for Gold Cup today MANANG MARSHYANDI CLUB DOWNS MILAN SANGH; WILL MEET 3-STAR ON FRIDAY

REBYNA RANA
GANGTOK, 21 Nov: It is going to be an all-Nepal final at the 34th All India Governor’s Cup Football Tournament 2013. Three Star and Manang Marshyangdi Club, both from Nepal will be battling for this year’s Governor’s Gold Cup at Paljor Stadium in the final match on Friday. Three teams from Nepal had participated in the tournament this year; apart from the finalists, there was also Nepal National Youth XI in the fray. The youth team lost to Milan Sangh, Kalighat, in the quarterfinals. MMC exacted a revenge of sorts for the Nepal youth team by ending MSK’s Gold Cup run today.
MMC Nepal beat Milan Sangha by a lone goal in the second semi-final match today.
Both teams struggled to find the net through most of the match and after the first half ended goalless, the drought continued in the second half with neither team being able to convert some good opportunities. Just when the match looked like it was going into a tiebreaker, MMC’s Leonel Stephen scored the only and winning goal of the match in the 89th minute, a minute short of regulation time.
A sizeable crowd had gathered at the stadium today with most cheering for the Nepal team. Spectators especially on the hill side gallery were seen waving the Nepal national flag and cheering the team on.
Speaking to NOW!, SFA president, BK Roka said, “Since the tournament began we have seen some good support for the Nepal teams. Now with both Nepal teams in the finals we hope that the stadium sees capacity crowd tomorrow”.
“We are delighted over today’s win and I would like to thank my teammates for giving their best in the match,” said the MMC-Nepal team captain, Anil Gurung.
“We are very excited to play against another Nepal team in the finals. I have confidence in the team and we will play a good game tomorrow. Winning and losing are part of the game and whatever the outcome we will accept it in the spirit of sportsmanship,” he said.