Armed Police Force (APF), reduced to 10-man for the last five minutes, overcame Iceberg Madhyapur Youth Association 3-2 to become the first departmental team to achieve victory in the league and end the latter´s unbeaten run in their third match. [break]
MMC´s African recruit Mbile Leonel Stephen broke the deadlock five minutes before the interval while Shiva Shrestha, skipper Anil Gurung and Fils Sergio Chico scored in the second half. Bauddha got the consolation from MMC defender Stephen as his back pass entered the net. The goal turned to be the first goal for Bauddh in the league.
APF players celebrate goal. (Photo: Bikash Karki)
MMC leapfrogged four spots to second with seven points, equal with leader Machhindra which has goal superiority. Bauddha yet to open account hits the bottom of table.
Defender Stephen headed to open the score from the area after he was left unmarked in Amir Shrestha´s cross. Midfielder Shrestha doubled the advantage in the 62nd minute with a powerful strike from the edge and skipper Gurung converted the penalty for the third goal.
The penalty was awarded to MMC in the 73rd minute when Man Bahadur Tamang handed the ball in the crowded 6-yard box. MMC´s Cameroonian forward Fils Sergio Chico who marked his debut on Saturday headed a goal bound cross of Maskey for the fourth goal.
Defender Stephen who opened scoring for MMC, struck at his own net three minutes before the end of regulation time after substitute custodian Brijesh Singh slipped in his attempt to collect the back pass of the defender.
Bauddha that looked weaker against MMC squandered three chances in the first half. MMC´s Beninese custodian Abohide Emmanuel prevented Buddha Lama and Suman Lama in one-on-one situation during the injury time of first half.
Despite his side´s defeat, Bauddha coach Kiran Shrestha said his side put up a better show than the last two matches. "We are unable to play with our set teams due to injury to some players and we have a young team," said Shrestha whose side has not fielded a single African player in the squad.
Shrestha´s counterpart Krishna Thapa said that the performance was up to his expectations. He also lauded his custodian´s performance for preventing a goal in one-on-one situation.
In late match of the day, APF put up a spirited show to open accounts at the points table in its third match. In the dramatic match, APF, reduced to 10-man in the 86th minute, fought until the last moment to earn the victory over Madhyapur that had fielded two African player in the team for the first time. However, both African players looked less effective and were substituted in the second half.
"The win has given us a big relief," said APF coach Janak Singh Tharu adding he had made four changes in the starting line up including the starting goalie. "We were under pressure to win today and gained valuable points. Now we are slowly gaining our tune. There was both speed as well as spirit in players today."
The result lifted APF from 15th to 10th position with three points while Madhyapur with two points dropped a spot below to 11th.
APF custodian Bikram Gurung who marked his debut in the league was sent off after he was shown with the second yellow cards in the 85th minute. He got the first for fouling Madhyapur skipper Jeevan Sinkeman at the area and the second for argument with the referee. Samit Rajbhandari took charge of the post after Gurung´s exit but conceded the penalty goal taken by Bal Gopal Sahukhala.
APF striker Ganesh Lawati netted twice for the departmental team. Lawati tactfully open scoring from the area in a through pass of Rajendra Rawal. Jeevan Sinkeman replied for Madhyapur in the 39th minute with a brilliant strike from 35-yard leaving custodian Gurung clueless.
Rajendra Rawal restored APF´s lead with a header in corner of Milan Rai and Lawati made it 3-1 in the 75th minute through penalty awarded after Nabin Lama was brought own in the area by defender Bivek Pratap Panta. Substitute Bal Gopal Sahukhala again cut the goal deficit through penalty but Madhyapur´s dream of achieving the equalizer went in vain.
Madhyapur coach Upendra Man Sing was surprised with the penalty awarded to APF. "The result has exerted more pressure to the team as league has been tougher," said Singh who admitted that there were mistakes in strategy against APF.
Shrestha scores 50th league goal (BOX)
MMC midfielder Shiva Shrestha´s goal turned out to be the 50th goal of the league in 19th match. Coincidentally it was the first goal of Shrestha, declared the best player during Ncell Cup held some two months ago in the capital.
Meanwhile, APF´s custodian Bikram Gurung also became the first player to be sent off in the ongoing event. Gurung was sent off in the 85th minute after being shown the second yellow card of the game against Madhyapur.
Sunday´s matches
Jawalakhel Vs Bansbari @ 12:30 NST
Three Star Vs Friends @ 14:30 NST
Venue: Dasharath Stadium
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