NRT trounce APF to go second

Source: ekantpur.com

KATHMANDU, APR 27 - New Road Team (NRT) made the best out of the draw between Three Star and Army Club as they climb up the standing replacing Three Star at second after defeating Armed Police Force (APF) 5-3 in the Martyrs' Memorial San Miguel 'A' Division League at the Dashrath Stadium on Monday.

NRT, a point behind Three Star and Army ahead of today's match, moved up the table with 34 points, pushing the two teams a place down in the standings. Three Star are third while Army are fourth with 32 points each with the former having an edge in goal difference.

NIB Friends, meanwhile, saw some respite to their dismal run, playing a 3-3 draw against Manang Marshyangdi Club in the early match of the day. Both the team's position remained unchanged with Manang at sixth with 23 points, and Friends at ninth with 21 points.

A hat-trick from in-from striker Shayam Mosavi and a goal each from Laxman Ruchal and Jeewan Sikeman gave NRT an easy win over spirited APF, who were three goals down in the opening 12 minutes. Ganesh Lawati, Dinesh Karki and Top Bista were on the mark for APF. NRT, needing a win to retain their position at second, took a fourth minute lead. Shayam Mosavi opened the scoring with a powerful attempt and quickly united with Nabin Neupane to score his second of the game inside four minutes. Ranjit Shrestha added another on 12th minute to give NRT a 3-0 lead. APF, however, did not give in easily, doing the least they could do: give the scoreline a better reading.

Ganesh Lawati started the comeback for APF scoring from a penalty on 30th minute that was awarded for a foul on him by NRT keeper Surendra Shrestha in a one-on-one attempt.

Just as APF had ignited some hopes of a come back Jeewan Sinkeman deflated them with a goal in the stroke of half time. Dinesh Karki cut the deficit on 59th minute before Shayam Mosavi completed his hat-trick on 74th minute from a counter attack. Top Bahadur Bista pulled one back for APF on 84th minute. APF, on 12 points, are still in the danger zone.

In the first match of the day, that looked more of a setup than a real contest, both the teams scored alternately soon after conceding.

Friends took a seventh minute lead through Rajan Adhikari but Sujan Limbu brought the game back in level terms seven minutes later. It took another 33 minutes for Manang to take the lead through a penalty from Shiva Shrestha only to be pegged back three minute from a penalty by Noor Raj Kafle. Santosh Tamang for Friends on 88th minute and Ganesh Khadka for the other team on first minute of injury time completed the spoils.