Sensational results in the league

SOURCE: REPUBLICA

KATHMANDU, June 1: Wednesday saw three most sensational results in the ongoing Martyrs Memorial Red Bull A Division League Football Tournament as three undefeated teams were handed their first defeat during the seventh round.

At the Dasharath Stadium, a lone goal from Rajkumar Ghising for Mega Three Star Club became sufficient to end the undefeated run of the star studded Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) with a 1-0 victory.

At the Halchowk ground, newcomer Mahindra Bansbari Club made Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) its second victim after Three Star as it registered a 2-0 win over RCT to break the team´s undefeated streak.

Similarly, Nepal Army Club, in the course of recording its second win, humiliated New Road Team (NRT) 4-1 which was restricted to nine-man during the stoppage time at the Dasharath Stadium´s kick off. Army scored three goals through penalty.

Now, Nepal Police and Himalayan Sherpa Club are the only two undefeated teams in the league.

Raj Kumar Ghising made skillful display to score the only goal of the match in the 36th minute when he beat a defender and an advancing MMC goalie Bishal Shrestha in the box to send the ball past net from tight angle.

With the win, Three Star jumped one spot to occupy the seventh position with 13 points while MMC remained steady in second position with 16 points.

Three Star totally took control of the match during first half against the big-spending MMC. But MMC came up with an improved performance in the second half and made some attacks but was unable to get the back of the net.

MMC was unlucky in the 75th minute as Shiva Shrestha´s 25-yard strike went out hitting the pole. Similarly, Anil Gurung´s header twice in the second half was off the target. Earlier, in the very second minute, Santosh Sahukhala failed to hit the ball in Gurung´s pass.

“Seriousness of the players, love for football and teamwork is the reason of our success,” Three Star coach Meghraj KC said after the match. “We need win in every match to remain as the title contender and we will play each match for win,” said KC who termed the match as 50\\50 one.

MMC coach Bal Gopal Maharjan said that his players failed to put up their full potential. “The players could not perform up to their full individual potential and the opponents were also strong,” said Maharjan, who also termed the match to be 50\\50.

Earlier, Army netted last three goals from spot-kick against New Road Team which saw its two players sent off for playing foul in the 78th and the last minute of the added five minutes.

However, the result did not change Army´s position in the league as it remained steady in the 10th place with eight points and NRT too remained constant in the fourth place with 16 points.

Amrit Basnet put Army ahead in the 36th minute when he beat a defender and custodian Raju Yogi in the box to send the ball past net. Hiranya Magar doubled the tally in the 40th minute through penalty after Olayinka Edriskehin handed the ball in box off Amrit Basnet shot.

Santosh Nepali scored third and fourth goals through spot-kick. Army was awarded with the second spot-kick in the 78th minute after Raghu Prajapati brought down Nawayug Shrestha in the box where he had only golvesman Yogi as an obstacle on his way. Prajapati was shown straight red card by referee Sachin Amatya for his offense.

Army got the third penalty after NRT´s African recruit Olansile Sulaiman fouled Tanka Basnet in the box, and again he had only to beat goalie Yogi to score the fourth goal for the team. Sulaiman was also given marching order by referee one minute before the end of stoppage time.

At the Halchowk ground, Shyam Kumar Nepali and Sujan Limbu scored in the second half for Bansbari to stun RCT which has been undergoing close camp training in Banepa for more than two months.

Giant killer Bansbari with 12 points moved one spot up to eighth place while RCT remained unchanged in the third place with 16 points.

Nepali put Bansbari ahead in the 52nd minute and Limbu ensured the team´s victory in the third minute of the stoppage time as RCT was putting up offensive to hit back the equalizer and give continuity to its unbeaten run.