Taplejung Gold Cup Final Honors Lionel Messi As Salhesh Secures Championship
5th September 2026, Kathmandu
Salhesh Youth Club defends the 4th International Taplejung Gold Cup title with a 1-0 win over Phidim Sporting Club. Read the full match report and highlights.
Taplejung Gold Cup Final Honors Lionel Messi
The 4th International Invitational Taplejung Gold Cup concluded in dramatic fashion as defending champions Salhesh Youth Club successfully retained their crown.
In a thrilling final played at the Bhanujan Secondary School ground, the Siraha-based club edged out Panchthar’s Phidim Sporting Club 1–0 to lift the prestigious championship trophy.
A Touching Tribute to Lionel Messi
Before the high-stakes final kicked off, the tournament organizers took a moment to celebrate global footballing greatness. In light of his recent international retirement announcement, football legend Lionel Messi was honored with a special tribute.
A large banner featuring Messi was displayed across the pitch, honoring his monumental 21-year international career, his historic World Cup triumph with Argentina, and his staggering record of 125 goals in 207 appearances. The heartfelt tribute set an inspirational tone for the domestic showdown that followed.
How the Final Was Won
Playing on a challenging, rain-soaked pitch amid heavy downpours, both teams locked horns in a fiercely contested first half that ended scoreless.
The decisive moment of the match finally arrived in the 71st minute. Salhesh forward Falguram Tharu broke the deadlock with a stunning, long-range strike from outside the box, leaving the opposition defense with no answers. Phidim pushed hard for a late equalizer, but the resilient Salhesh backline held firm to secure the 1–0 victory.
Road to the Final
Salhesh Youth Club: Advanced to the final by defeating India’s Georgian United FC (Kalimpong) 2–0 in the semi-finals.
Phidim Sporting Club: Reached their first-ever final by overcoming Jhapa-11 1–0 following a dramatic penalty shootout win against Chitlang FC.
Tournament Prizes and Individual Awards
As champions, Salhesh Youth Club walked away with the grand cash prize of NPR 702,083, alongside the championship trophy, medals, and certificates. Runners-up Phidim Sporting Club pocketed NPR 352,083.
Advertisement
Salhesh heavily dominated the individual post-match awards:
Player of the Tournament: Anukesh Sherma (Phidim) – Won a brand new Bajaj motorcycle.
Man of the Match (Final): Sanis Shrestha (Salhesh).
Best Goalkeeper: Dip Karki (Salhesh).
Best Defender: Abhishek Limbu (Salhesh).
Best Midfielder: Sushil Yadav (Salhesh).
Best Forward: Hiten Suhang (Phidim).
Each award winner received a cash prize of NPR 15,000 and a certificate.
Dignitaries Grace the Closing Ceremony
The prizes were handed out by distinguished guests, including Member of the House of Representatives Kshitij Thebe, Koshi Provincial Assembly Member and former Minister Khagendra Singh Hangam, among other local sports officials.
Organized annually by the Lakhejatra Operation Committee during the vibrant Lakhe Jatra festival, this year’s edition featured eight competitive teams, further solidifying the Taplejung Gold Cup’s status as a premier fixture in Nepalese domestic football.
