Defending Champs Dethroned: Army Clinical in 3-0 Rout of Church Boys
JHAPA – The seventh edition of the Jhapa Gold Cup opened with a seismic shift in power on Sunday, as four-time champions Tribhuvan Army FC ruthlessly dismantled defending titleholders Church Boys United with a clinical 3-0 victory. Under the sweltering heat at the Domalal Rajbanshi Stadium, the "Armymen" delivered a tactical masterclass, dumping the heavy favourites out of the tournament in the very first round to secure their spot in the quarterfinals. **The Tactical Breakdown: Clinical Finishing** The deadlock was broken in the 27th minute when Nabin Lama met a pinpoint cross from Dinesh Henjan with a sophisticated one-touch finish, leaving the Church Boys' defence static. The momentum swung entirely in the Army's favour during the first-half stoppage time. Captain Gillespie Jung Karki turned provider, floating a ball that found Nawayug Shrestha, who doubled the lead with a spectacular acrobatic strike—a goal that instantly became the highlight of the tournament so far. The final nail in the coffin arrived via a set-piece masterclass. From 25 yards out, George Prince Karki stepped up and curled a stunning free-kick into the back of the net, effectively ending the contest.  **Defensive Grit and Goalkeeping Heroics** While the Army dominated the scoresheet, Church Boys’ keeper Deep Karki was the only reason the deficit wasn't higher. In the 32nd minute, he produced a world-class save to deny a thunderous long-range effort from Kushal Deuba. However, despite their status as the team to beat, Church Boys struggled to find their rhythm, failing to break down a disciplined Army backline that has historically dominated this venue. **Looking Ahead** The stakes remain high as the tournament progresses. The eventual champion is set to walk away with NPR 1.5 million, while the runner-up takes home NPR 750,000. On an individual level, the "Best Player" of the tournament will ride away on a brand-new Yamaha motorcycle. Next Up: The quarterfinals kick off on Monday with a high-stakes clash between local favourites Jhapa 11 FC and India’s Singling Sporting Club, Sikkim.
