APF´s win, the first over Police in league and second win in the ongoing league lifted it to 10th from 13th position with six points. Police with four points dropped two spots to 13th position. Police has a win and a draw after playing fifth match. [break]
In an entertaining match, APF took the lead in the 10th minute after Rajendra Rawal unleashed an unstoppable shot from 25-yard in a short pass from Ganesh Lawati. APF could have doubled the tally in the 36th minute had not substitute Nabin Lama´s shot rebounded off the pole.
Nepal Police vs Armed Police Club. (Photo: Bikash Karki)
APF was denied another scoring chance in the 40th minute when Deependra Paudel made a goalline clearance to prevent strike Ganesh Lawati header from entering the net.
Police replied APF´s early goal in the 19th minute, but Nepali international striker and the skipper of departmental team Jumanu Rai failed to beat APF custodian Bikram Gurung in one-versus-one situation. In the 35th Yogesh Shrestha fired inches wide from the target.
But Police´s quest of bagging the equalizer was fulfilled in the 41st minute when skipeer Rai made a brilliant semi volley strike from the area after chest controlling a cross from Ramesh Katuwal.
The fast paced match got livelier in the second half with both sides mustering their best for the match winner. But it was APF to net the second goal to get the result in its favor.
APF´s Lawati left unmarked, made a free header from the area in the 73rd minute in an acute cross from skipper Kumar Thapa to restore the lead. Earlier in an hour mark, Lawati´s spectacular back volley was punched to safety by Police custodian Ritesh Thapa in a similar fashion.
Police had nearly taken the lead in the 63rd minute when Kovit Karki made a goalline clearance to prevent Chetan Ghimire´s low header from entering the net in Ramesh Katuwal cross. Police players also made a brief celebration assuming it as a goal. But the play continued as referee and the assistant referees were not convinced that the ball crossed the goalline.
Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha, however, claimed it to be a goal. "The ball had crossed the line. But the referee did not award it as goal and this became a major turning point in the match," said Shrestha during the post match conference. He also attributed the defeat to weak defense.
"APF´s Lawati piled pressure throughout the match and kept three defenders busy. The defense was totally weak," said the coach of injury plagued departmental giant. Regarding his side´s title hope Shrestha said, "It will depend on the results of other teams and we will not fight for top eight positions."
APF coach Janak Sing Tharu lauded the team´s performance. "The match was vital for the team today and the result will boost the morale of the team for upcoming matches," said Tharu. "We played well today and got numerous chances. Ganesh Lawati missed three chances as well."
Bauddha faces points drought
Bauddha FC´s points drought continued in the fifth match as well, with Saraswati coming from a goal deficit to beat Bauddha 2-1. The result left Saraswati at the bottom of the table without a single point. Saraswati climbed four spots up to eight with seven points.
Saraswati´s Tanzanian forward Yon Elias Ndabila netted both the goals -- one each in either half to steer the team toward its second victory.
Ndabile cancelled Bauddha´s 8th minute lead in the 35th minute though penalty. The penalty was awarded after Bauddha´s African midfielder Stephen Veron Bikamata stumbled Anil Thapa Magar in the area.
The African sealed the victory in the 73rd minute when he made a brilliant cross of Ramesh Ghising Tamang from the box.
"We are facing defeats after being slapped with penalty match after match," said Shrestha. "The boys have been unable to come up with their natural show as they are playing under pressure."
Bauddha´s forward Suman Lama, making his entry as 45th minute substitute was rushed to the hospital after he picked an injury, which the coach assumes as setback for the team.
Saraswati coach Dhruba KC was unsatisfied with the team´s performance. "The boys did not put up a good show. But the vital thing is that they earned three points. We still have problem scoring."
Sunday´s matches
Sankata Vs Friends @ 12:30 NST
Machhindra Vs Bansbari @ 14:30 NST
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