Queen’s Gurkha Signals win Nepal Cup final thriller in dying moments of extra time
The Queen’s Gurkha Signals (QGS) have won the Nepal Cup after a thrilling final in which they came from behind twice, scoring the winner in the dying moments of extra time.
They beat 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles (RGR) 3-2 in Aldershot, after the sides finished level at 1-1 after regular time.
It did not take long for RGR to go ahead, taking the lead after just eight minutes, thanks to a strike from Sanim Rai.
Despite lots of early QGS possession on a blustery day in Hampshire, and skipper Prasanttamang coming close with a free kick before the half hour mark, they could not convert early opportunities, and RGR took the 1-0 lead into half-time.
It was not, in fact, until the 89th minute, when the QGS equalised through Krishna Khaki and forced the match into extra time (15 minutes per half).
However, RGR quickly retook the lead with a Mousam Rai goal just a minute into the extra time period.
Five minutes later, it seemed QGS would equalise once again, when they were awarded a penalty, but their hopes were dashed when the attempt struck the crossbar.
Their disappointment lasted mere seconds, however, with another QGS goal - it came back to penalty taker Prasant Tamang who duly followed up and levelled the match at 2-2.
The goal was certainly popular with their supporters, many of whom ran onto the pitch in celebration, before quickly being encouraged off by the officials.
This year is the 75th anniversary of the Queen’s Gurkha Signals, and what a way to mark it – a Bibek Gurung wonder strike with just minutes to go sealed the deal and won the match 3-2; their 11th Nepal Cup title.
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