Siraha’s Salhesh Youth Club, fielding four foreign recruits, has booked their spot in the final of the Taplejung Gold Cup for the second consecutive year.

In the last semifinal match played today at Bhanujan Secondary School Fungling, Salhesh secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Jhapa’s Joya Red Star Football Club. African forward Yussuf Malik was the hero of the match, netting both goals to seal his team’s place in the title showdown.

Yussuf opened the scoring in the 13th minute before doubling the lead in the 48th minute, cementing his position among the tournament’s top scorers. For his stellar performance, he was adjudged Player of the Match and received a cash prize of Rs 7,000. This marked his second consecutive Player of the Match award, having also scored a brace in the opening fixture.

Salhesh, last year’s runners-up, will now face Lalitpur’s Church Boys United FC in the grand final on Saturday. The champions of the third edition will bag Rs 702,082, while the runners-up will take home Rs 350,082 along with a trophy.

The Lakhe Jatra Organizing Committee has also announced a motorcycle for the tournament’s best player, with additional awards in other categories.