NPC, NTSC draw; Army climb up

Source: ekantipur.com

KATHMANDU, Mar 26 - Nepal Police Club and Nabil Three Star Club shared a point each as they fought a goalless draw at the Dashrath Stadium on Friday. Despite the draw both the teams remained at the same spot. Police Club rests at the top of the Martyrs’ Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League with 22 points while Three Star is third with 18.

Despite hanging on to their current position the result of the tenth round will have a huge impact in the outcome of both the teams hunt for the title race.

Three Star dominated through out the match but failed to convert half chances into goal. They did everything well, they had the position of the ball through out the match. They did not let the Police team control the ball and had them restricted to the centre half for most of the time. The only thing they lacked was goal.

On a hot humid day, top seeded Police Club, failed to keep position of the ball and felt the absence of their key players Jumanu Rai and Parbat Pandey. Three Star had the ball in their side most of the time as the departmental team had difficulty taking the ball to their corner.

As for the Patan based club Three Star, Santosh Shahukhala, who is the leading gaol scorer of the league failed to guide the ball at the back of the net on a couple of occasions. Bijay Rai’s free kick was saved by Roshan Karki. Gurung was given a solid pass by Santosh Sahukhala who had dribbled the ball past Jitendra Bista only to be cleared by Rakesh Shresthta.

Jocelyn Morgan and Pradeep Maharjan too had ample opportunities come their away only to fall short of the mark.

Three Star’s coach, Upendra Man Singh said the result would cost them dearly in the long race. According to Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha apart from other things the heat too hindered the performance of their players. “We were complete out played by Three Star. In spite of our poor performance we did not give away too many points and that might turn out vital at the end,” said Shrestha.

In the second match, Tribhuvan Army Club defeated Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) 2-0 to climb to the fifth spot. Army Club now have 15 points and which is two less then fourth placed MMC.

Amrit Basnet, who was playing in the starting line up at the league for the first time contributed to both the goal. It was through his pass Bikarna Shrestha opened the score for Army in the seventh minute.

Basnet entered his name in the list of goal scores in the 59th minute to make it 2-0. Basnet dribbled the ball past MMC Captain Tashi Tchhiring to guide it at the back of the net. Despite playing four Korean players MMC failed to create close chances. As all of their attempts were high in the air and flew past the post. MMC coach Ghale said the loss has them out of the title race.