Birtamod, Nepal – In a historic moment for the Jhapa Gold Cup, Church Boys United emerged victorious in a thrilling penalty shootout against the host team, Jhapa XI FC. This nail-biting victory, sealed with a 4-3 scoreline, marked the debutants’ entry into the tournament’s finals, leaving the seasoned Jhapa side in their wake.

The young guns from Church Boys, fresh off their Shahid Smarak ‘A’ Division League title, proved their mettle against a seasoned Jhapa side. Despite reaching the finals in all previous editions, Jhapa’s quest for the elusive trophy continues.

The tension was palpable in the penalty shootout. Church Boys’ Suraj Jiu Thakuri, Bijay Bhujel, Abayomi Aluwaseun Fakunle, and their heroic goalkeeper-captain Deep Karki showcased their skills with clinical precision. However, Jhapa’s Sudip Limbu denied Serge Dika’s strike, injecting a thrilling twist into the proceedings.

Jhapa fought back with goals from Aditya Shakya, Bibek Poudel, and Ashish Chapagain. But Pradeep Budhathoki’s miss and Limbu’s inability to contain the other penalties dashed their dreams. Foreign recruit Mark Junior Harrison couldn’t turn the tide for the hosts.

Bhujel and Fakunle threatened Church Boys while Limbu held strong for Jhapa. Karki, however, stood out with a string of crucial saves, rightfully earning the Player of the Match award for his heroics.

The Church Boys now face a formidable opponent in the finals—the departmental giants APF FC. On Monday, both teams will vie for a hefty cash prize and tournament glory.

Jhapa coach Angur Kumar Khadgi expressed his disappointment with the refereeing but lauded his team’s fighting spirit. On the other hand, Church Boys coach Ruben Rai was ecstatic about his team’s journey and unwavering unity. He believes these factors will be instrumental in overcoming the challenge posed by APF FC.