Pun ensures MMC regain top spot

Source: Himalayan News Service

March, 12, 2010, KATHMANDU: Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangd

i Club (MMC) regained their lead with a 1-0 win over Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) at the Martyrs Memorial San Miguel A Division League Football here today.

MMC have 16 points from six matches to push defending champions Nepal Police Club (14) at the second spot. Meanwhile, the Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club defeated bottom of the table Sankata Kathmandu Mall Club 2-0 to stay at the seventh with seven points.

Amar Pun came from the bench in the 76th minute and scored five minutes later for MMC in the match dominated by RCT. Pun scored from close range following a pass from Ganesh Khadka who got the ball inside the area with a brilliant work from Kim Nam Gyu.

RCT were let down by their forwards. Deepak Rai made a superb attempt with a 28-yard shot in the 33rd minute only for MMC custodian Bishal Shrestha to parry his shot. The striker also delivered a cross to Uttam Gurung in the 56th minute but the latter skied his shot from close range.

RCT’s United Kurseong FC striker Nagen Lama missed on a one-on-one with MMC keeper in the 72nd minute and Prabesh Katuwal’s powerful shot from the edge of the area hit the woodwork four minutes later. RCT coach Madhu Karki said his side played a better match but his strikers let him down. “We had our chances but the strikers made terrible mess of those,” said Karki.

Earlier, Ganesh Lawati and Tanka Lama scored in APF’s second win in the league. APF made only two moves throughout the match and found the back of the nets in both the occasions.

Ganesh beat the offside trap in the 28th minute and converted from inside the penalty area in the 28th minute and two minutes later Sankata’s Ravi Thapa made a blunder to give the ball to Tanka and the latter made no mistake converting from the area. Sankata strikers Nirajan Malla and Sujal Shrestha both missed out on the opportunities, shooting wildly off target.

Yamaha FZS for best players

KATHMANDU: The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) will award the four best players and a coach of the Martyrs Memorial San Miguel A Division League with the Yamaha FZS Motorcycles. The best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker and coach will be awarded with the bikes. The ANFA on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding with Morang Auto Works (MAW) — the authorised distributor of Yamaha bike — worth a total of Rs 949,500. The ANFA General Secretary Dhirendra Pradhan and MAW CEO Bishnu Kumar Agrawal signed the MOU. The MAW will sponsor Rs 572,500 while ANFA will manage the remaining amount.