Khadka flick-headed the match decider in the second minute of stoppage time, a minute before the final whistle, from close range in a 35-yard freekick from Sujal Shrestha. [break]
MMC was awarded with the freekick after Yuddha Shahi fouled Shrestha. The goal also turned out to be Khadka’s first goal in last five months. Khadka had not scored a single goal after achieving a hat-trick against Brigade Boys Club in the Martyrs Memorial League.
Winning the last match of the sixth round, star-studded MMC climbed to second position with equal 12 points as that of the third-placed Jawalakhel Youth Club. MMC has an upper hand against Jawalakhel because it has scored more goals.
Police leads the standing with 18 points with three more matches to spare. Army remained unchanged in the seventh place with seven points. Shrestha and Bijay Gurung were playing for the first time after serving a three-match ban slapped by the disciplinary committee.
In the Martyrs League, MMC had recorded same goal margin win over Army.
In the competitive and fast-paced match, MMC was unlucky in the early third minute when Santosh Sahukhala’s powerful shot off Anil Gurung’s strike rebounded from the bar, letting goalie Bikash Malla collect the ball.
Likewise, Army coustodian Malla who made some heroic saves twice denied Bijay Gurung in the 33rd and 68th minute respectively. In the 76th minute, Anil Gurung’s quick and powerful attempt from close range was brilliantly saved by Malla. Four minutes earlier, Gurung had fired wide from 25-yard. In the 83rd minute, Khadka failed to connect properly a beautiful pass set by Yugal Kishor Rai off Anil Gurung in the box. Rai had come in the field as replacement of Sahukhala in the 78th minute.
For the departmental team, Tanka Basnet squandered an early fourth minute scoring chance when he fired inches above bar from close range. Similarly, MMC goalie Bishal Shrestha made two simultaneous saves in the 43rd minute. Shrestha first punched Raju Tamang’s freekick and sent the ball towards pitch. But Basnet again made a powerful attack, which was again denied by Shrestha.
Following his side’s defeat, Army coach Yogambar Suwal once again came down heavily on the referee. “I can’t understand why MMC was awarded foul,” Suwal said hinting at the freekick, which changed the match’s fate.
MMC coach Hari Om Shrestha said that his side was inching closer to the title. “Though we have come closer to the title, it still depends on the results of Police’s other matches. Police is yet to play with tough opponents,” Shrestha said. He termed Army a physically tough and tactically sound team.
Meanwhile, Ranipokhari Corner Team’s officials Changs Lal Shrestha and Uttam Lal Shrestha have been handed a match ban by ANFA disciplinary committee. Citing their unsporting behaviour during their match against Three Star, the duo will not be allowed to sit in players’ box in the next match.
Sangam beats Mitramilan
In the day’s kick-off match between the teams from outside the capital, Caravan Sangam Club of Pokhara recorded its first win and earned
first point defeating PLO Mitramilan Club of Dharan 3-1.
Ganesh Lawati netted twice for Sagam and substitute Rakesh Gurung added another. Lawati on loan from Armed Police Force (APF) opened scoring in the 12th minute and scored another in the first minute of stoppage time. Gurung achieved target in 62nd minute. Subarna Samekham scored the consolation for Mitramilan through penalty, three minutes from time.
With his twin goals, Lawati has taken his goal scoring tally to four goals, one behind highest scorer Nawayug Shrestha of Army and Santosh Sahukhala of MMC. Jumanu Rai has also scored four goals so far in the league.
With the result, Sangam climbed to ninth from bottom of the table with three points while Mitramilan having one point dropped one spot down to bottom of the table.
MMC’s protest rejected
Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club’s (MMC) protest against Yeti Airlines Himalayan Sherpa Club was rejected by the disciplinary committee on Saturday. After losing the match 1-0 against Sherpa on January 5, MMC had filed a protest claiming that Kunjan Gurung, a midfielder Sherpa had fielded, was a professional player of a sixth-tire club of England.
But, ANFA on Saturday rejected the appeal after England’s Football Association informed ANFA that Gurung was not registered with any football club in England.
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