NRT on top; Friends beat RCT

SOURCE:REPUBLICA

KATHMANDU, March 28: New Road Team (NRT) moved to the top of the table for the first time in the ongoing Martyrs Memorial San Miguel A Division League Football on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Sankata Kathmandu Mall Club at the Dasharath Stadium.

In another match, sixth place holders Friends Club defeated Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) 3-2 to register their sixth win to climb two steps on the table. RCT remained constant at the eighth position.

A goal in each half from NRT´s Danish Striker Shayan Mosavi and Subash Rai gave NRT their fourth consecutive win and seventh win of the league to lead the standings with 23 points, pushing title holders Police with 22 points to the second spot with only a match remaining in the first leg. Sankata are second from the bottom with six points.

Mosavi scored a spectacular goal in the 27th minute to open NRT´s scoring. He brilliantly dribbled the ball around three opponent defenders in the box and beat goalie Suman Legal to send the ball into the net.

Mosavi also registered his name in second position on the list of highest scorers with seven goals, two behind leading scorer Santosh Sahukhala of Three Star.

Rai doubled the advantage for NRT in the 59th minute through penalty after Salyan Khadgi played a foul on Mosavi in the danger zone.

Mohammad Asif Hussain of Bangladesh, the 35th minute substitute, pulled one back for Sankata seven minutes later. Hussain´s powerful strike from about 40 yards went into the net after NRT goalie Surendra Shrestha failed to handle the ball properly as the ball went hitting his palm despite his attempt to save it.

NRT dominated the show in terms of ball possession and created more chance than Sankata. In the 11th minute, Nirajan Rayamajhi missed a one-on-one chance with Sankata goalie Suman Legal.

Likewise, Mosavi also squandered a couple of good opportunities. During the last minute, Ravi Thapa of Sankata defended Mosavi´s attempt ahead of the goal-line while goalie Legal was beaten.

Sankata were unlucky in the 23rd minute as Sumin Mainali´s feeble shot rebounded hitting the pole. In the 37th minute, Sujal Shrestha´s freekick from the edge rebounded hitting the crossbar before goalie Shrestha dived to deny it and in the rebounder Khadgi´s header went over the bar.

NRT coach Diken Suwal said they will now put their effort to maintain their top position. He also expressed dissatisfaction over his side´s performance. “The boys could not play up to their potential,” Suwal said, adding that there was a lack of supplies from the midfield.

Earlier, Pukar Gahatraj, Buddha Chemjong and Bharat Khawas scored one each in the first half for Friends against RCT but were unable to score in the second half. They scored in the 7th, 33rd and 44th minute respectively.

RCT made a fight back in the second half and scored twice through Sagun Shrestha and Dipak Rai but failed to earn point. Shrestha netted in the 57th minute and Rai in the 84th.

Friends coach Mrigendra Mishra, satisfied with the victory, commented that they conceded goals due to simple mistakes of players.

RCT coach Madhu Karki said that the overconfidence of players cost them dearly.

Tuesday´s matches

Three Star Vs Boys Union

MMC Vs Jawalakhel

Venue: Dasharath Stadium