Himal Press 
POKHARA: Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) of Lalitpur are taking on hosts Sahara Club Pohara in the final of the 25th Aaha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup at the Pokhara Stadium on Saturday.
Since Sahara and JYC reached the final of one of the country’s most prestigious football tournaments after 9 and 14 years, respectively, both sides will be determined to lift the trophy at any cost.
Jawalakhel lost to Three Star Club in the 2012 final, while Sahara was defeated by Manang Marsyangdi Club (MMC) in the 2017 final.
Organized by Sahara Club Pokhara, the tournament kicked off on February 10. It features 12 teams. Interestingly, the most successful teams in the tournament and the major title contenders have already been eliminated this year.
Speaking at a pre-match conference on Friday, the coaches and captains of both teams claimed that their team would win the title.
Sahara coach Sunil Rana Magar was the team manager when the club lifted the title in the 12th edition in 2014. He is now fully focused on helping the hosts secure their second title after nine years.
“We are preparing to bring the trophy back after 12 years,” Rana Magar said.
Sahara had lifted the title by defeating Manang Marsyangdi Club 1–0 in 2014.
“The morale of all the players is high. Regardless of past performances, our sole objective in the final will be to score,” he said.
Similarly, Jawalakhel coach Sunil Kumar Shrestha said that although playing against the hosts will naturally bring crowd pressure, they will plan accordingly. “Sahara is a strong team. They have beaten very good teams because of that strength,” he said. “But we have plans to contain them.”
Sahara Captain Sushil Lama and Jawalakhel Captain Unesh Chaudhary both said they would deliver their best in Saturday’s final.
Sahara began their campaign by defeating the Gorkha International Football Club of Hong Kong in the opening match. They knocked out six-time champions Nepal Police Club in the quarterfinals and Manang Marsyangdi Club in the semifinals via sudden death.
Meanwhile, Jawalakhel secured their place in the title clash by beating Machhindra Football Club in their first match. They then defeated Church Boys United in the pre-quarterfinals and AVA Football Club of Uzbekistan in the semifinals.
The winner will receive Rs 1.4 million, a trophy, and medals, while the runner-up will get Rs 700,000 in prize money and medals.
