That Machhindra were able to hold Nabil Three Star Club to a 1-1 draw amply proves that they have emerged as a powerhouse. The match was a draw if the results have anything to indicate. But in the final analysis, Machhindra apparently lost two points which they had almost earned. Luck did not seem to favor Machhindra, who had dominated the entire match, as three of their shots bounced back hitting the bar. [break]
However, KC was not disappointed to share points with the club in which he formerly worked as a coach. “Looking at the performance, we deserved victory but it is a great achievement to hold a good club like Three Star to a draw,” he said.
KC took charge of Machhindra just a day before the match. He has established himself as a successful coach by guiding the Nepali women´s football team to the final of the 11th South Asian Games a month ago.
Three Star had earlier reached the semifinals of the AFC President´s Cup in 2004 under KC´s command after winning the league. Pradeep Maharjan, who was in the team while they won the league during KC´s tenure, is now the captain of Three Star.
Likewise, other players whom KC guided during their victory in the league -- Surendra Tamang, Bijay Gurung, Anjan KC, Bishan Gauchan, Santosh Sahukhala, Bal Gopal Maharjan and Upendra Man Singh -- are still affiliated to Three Star.
KC points out the differences in Three Star now as compared to the time when he was the coach. “Three Star don´t play short pass and through pass anymore but they try to play from the wings alone. It will be quite difficult to manage the game if the midfield does not penetrate the ball forward,” he said.“There is a deficit of a good central midfielder as Maharjan alone is looking after the midfield. He too is not in form as he was five years ago,” he added. KC had informed Three Star President Lalit Krishna Shrestha about the setbacks a few days before joining Machhindra Club.
Earlier, KC successfully guided the Army battalions in football championships and then joined Friends Club as a coach in 2002 prior to joining Three Star in 2004.
He was at the height of his success in Friends Club as the team lifted Tilottama Gold Cup Trophy, Butwal, in the first year he joined the club. Although the club lost in the final of the Aaha Gold Cup, Pokhara and Budhasubba Gold Cup, Dharan, he led the club to prominence.
He became the coach of the Armed Police Force in 2005 after leaving Three Star and then coached the Army in 2006. He didn´t stay long in these two departmental teams. Some people have labeled him as a roaming coach. But he says, “I´m not a roaming coach, I´m a professional coach.”
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