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.[break]
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.
Himalayan Sherpa outclasses Brigade
In another match of the day, Yeti Airlines Himalayan Sherpa Club outclassed Brigade Boys Club (BBC) 5-0 to achieve its first victory in six matches. Pukar Gahatraj and Dipak Rai scored a brace each while Samuel Mobiru scored another for the top flight debutant.
Following the result, Sherpa strengthened its chances for the super league. Though Sherpa remained unchanged in the sixth position with 23 points, it is three points ahead of seventh-placed Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT), which has a match in hand. BBC remained unchanged in the 13th place with 10 points.
"The result has made us a strong contender for a top eight finish," Sherpa coach Upendraman Singh said, adding that the arrival of winger Jagjeet Shrestha has also boosted the morale of the team.
In-form striker Shrestha was ruled out of the previous three matches after he was injured in a motorbike accident on June 12, just ahead of his side´s match against MMC.
Gahatraj put Sherpa ahead from the spot in the 10th minute and scored another in the 84th. Sherpa was awarded the penalty after Kigozi Ismail was brought down by Dinesh Bhattarai in the box. Similarly, Rai scored in the 36th and 49th minutes to take his goals tally to eight. Mobiru scored in the 57th minute through a header in Pukar Gahatraj´s cross.
Referee controversy
The coach and a manager of both the defeated sides on Wednesday again heavily criticized the referee´s decisions. Machhindra officials were involved in a heated argument with ANFA officials and match commissioner Sanjiv Mishra after the completion of its match against Police.
"The referee gave decisions in favor of Police," Machhindra coach Chhiring Lopsang said during the post match conference. Machhindra manager Anil Shrestha also said the referees have been making mistakes in every match but they are not punished. Bikash Mahat had officiated the Police-Machhindra match.
Meanwhile, BBC manager Arbind Gurung also criticized the referee´s decision. He referred to a foul committed by goalie Rupak Shrestha on his player Khagendra Khadka. As the last man, Shrestha had moved out of the box and fouled Khadka. Referee Sudish Pandey showed a yellow card to Shrestha. "As the last man, Shrestha should have been sent off," Gurung said, claiming that the referees are not qualified enough to conduct league matches.
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