Sankata sink APF in relegation battle

SOURCE: REPUBLICA

KATHMANDU, June 5: Sankata Kathmandu Mall Club snatched a 1-0 victory over Armed Police Force (APF) Club on Saturday in the relegation battle of the ongoing San Miguel Martyrs Memorial ´A´ Division Football League at the Dasharath Stadium.

Sankata skipper Nirajan Malla missed a few chances in the first half hour of the match but Sujal Shrestha gave a lead to Sankata in the 39th minute. As APF defender Narayan Katuwal fouled on Kailash Dangol inside the box, referee Bikash Mahat awarded penalty to Sankata. Shrestha took the opportunity and scored from the spot.

In the second half of the match, APF tried to make a comeback but failed to score. Sankata goalkeeper Deepak Dangol made an acrobatic save to a fierce long range shot of Dinesh Karki in the 69th minute. Likewise, Dangol punched a header of Jeebesh Pandey to the bar and Sudeep Shikhrakar cleared it from the goal line.

After the win, Sankata have 16 points and 10th position from 19 games while APF have 13 points and the bottom position (12th) from equal matches. Boys Union are in 11th position with 16 points from 19 matches.

Likewise, G Five Machhindra Club thrashed Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) 4-0 in the mid-table battle.

Machhindra took the first lead in the 23rd minute from a penalty. MMC defender Pankaj Lama fouled against Manoj Sunuwar and Machhindra got the chance for a spot-kick. Rupesh KC utilized the chance.

Karna Limbu doubled the score in the 31st minute as he scored in a one-on-one situation. Bishal Rai scored the third for Machhindra in the 78th minute through a header from close range and Limbu sealed the match with a score in the 90th minute in another one-versus-one situation.

With the win, Machhindra have 27 points and the fifth position while MMC are in sixth place with 23 points from 19 games.

Machhindra Coach Meghraj KC claimed that his boys kept their cool and produced some killing passes to win the match.