Police go four points clear at the top


SOURCE: REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, June 22: Defending champion Nepal Police Club swept to an impressive 4-0 win over relegation-threatened G Five Machhindra Club at the APF Ground, Halchowk on Wednesday to go four points clear at the top of the Martyrs Memorial Red Bull A Division League Football Tournament.

Ramesh Katuwal, Pradip Baniya, Jumanu Rai and Rabin Shrestha were on target for Police as the departmental giant continued its unbeaten run in the league. 
Police has 35 points in its kitty with four matches to go, four points ahead of second-placed Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC), which has a one-match advantage over the leader and takes on fourth-placed Jawalakhel Youth Club on Thursday. Machhindra remained unchanged in the relegation zone with seven points after playing equal 13 matches as that of Police.

Police´s efforts finally bore fruit in the 40th minute when Katuwal slammed in a powerful shot from outside the box to stun goalie Bashir Toyln. Katuwal received a cross from Baniya, dribbled around two opponent players, fell down, but managed to get up quickly and fire home the first goal.

Other goals came at regular intervals as Baniya doubled the advantage through a powerful header in the 62nd minute in a pass from Shrestha. Shrestha sealed the victory in the 78th minute through a powerful one-touch strike that went over an advancing goalie Toyln and into the net.

Rai, the league´s highest scorer, extended his goals tally to 17 when he scored the third goal for Police in the 76th minute. Rai has now scored in four back-to-back matches. Rai´s teammate Bharat Khawas is the second highest scorer with 14 goals.

Police was in command from the very beginning and created frequent chances. But the African custodian of Machhindra foiled about half-a-dozen attempts by Police.

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