The Sierra Leonean striker, marking his debut for the Patan based club, broke the deadlock four minutes from time when he unleashed a powerful shot from 25-yard to stun Friends goalie Toyin Bashir. The ball hit the back of the net after deflecting fof the post. [break]
The results left high spending Friends, still looking for its first win, in the 13th position with one point. Three Star placed in third position has six points as that of fourth, fifth and sixth placed New Road Team (NRT) and Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) and Jawalakhel respectively.
Santosh Sahukhala (White) of Three star in action. (Photo: Bikash Karki)
Friends coach Dilkaji Gurung indirectly blamed the defeat to referee´s wrong decision. "How can 11 players vie with 14 opponents," said Gurung during the post match conference hinting that referee Bikash Mahat and assistant referees favored Three Star. Gurung claimed the goal scored by Three Star was an offside.
Gurung, who criticized players during their previous matches, expressed satisfaction on their performance. "Today, the boys played with team and fighting spirit," said Gurung who pointed out problems in striking. "Our foreigner striker could not play today as he picked up injury in training. I hope he will return in the next match."
Three Stars players celebrate goal. (Photo: Bikash Karki)
Both the team of Lalitpur, -- Three Star with four African players in the starting line up and Friends with three -- put up spirited show from the beginning.
Friend´s Prakash Budathoki´s second minute shot was punched to safety by goalie Kiran Chemjong and Nirajan Khadka´s 18th minute goal was ruled as offside.
Scorer Joshua replied for Three Star in the 28th minute, but his powerful shot from the edge sailed inches over bar. In the 67th Bikram Lama fired at the side netting from the six-yard box.
Ritesh Malla squandered equalizing chance in the 86th when he paused in the area after beating advancing Three Star custodian Kiran Chemjong which allowed the custodian to return and vie for the ball.
"We changed the strategy during the later stages of the match and achieved the goal," said Three Star coach Pradip Humagain who had changed the team formation to 3-4-3 from 4-4-2. "Today the boys came up with hard effort and commitment thus luck favored us," said Humagain. "The foreigner players are not yet set and the team´s best is yet to come. The team will have its real test in the next match against NRT."
Jawlakhel beats Bansbari in drama
In the day´s kick off drama, Samsung Jawalakhel defeated Mahindra Bansbari FC 3-2. Jawalakhel was 2-0 up by 30 minutes but Bansbari scored twice in the second half to level the score 2-2. But the real drama came one minute before the end of five minute stoppage time to snatch points from Bansbari in the match that seemed headed for a certain draw.
Jawalakhel´s Kenyan recruit Juma Benlee scored twice including the match winner. Earlier Prabin Karki had gaving 23rd minute lead to Jawalakhel and Benlee doubled the advantage during half an hour mark. Karki made a one touch strike from the area in right flank cross of Raj Paudel to open the scoring. Benlee made a glancing header in Jaggu Nath Khadka´s corner for the second goal.
Bansbari, without any foreigner player, cut the goal deficit in the 77th and squared the score a minute later. Shyam Babu Magar and Nir Kumar Rai scored one each for Bansbari.
Magar unleashed a low shot from the area during a melee which passed under the legs of goalie Sanam Ferland. Rai fired from the close range in an acute pass of Dil Bahadur Tamang for the equalizer.
But Benlee made a volley from the area in John Dike´s pass to ensure victory for Jawalakhel that had fielded four African players in the squad.
With its second win Jawalakhel moved to sixth place with six points, climbing three spots in the points table while Bansbari remained unchanged in 14th place with one point.
Following its painful defeat, Bansbari coach Hari Om Shrestha said that his side will come up with four foreigner player in the next match. Jawalakhel coach said that weak defending and center midfield as the reason for conceding two goals in as many minutes. "The defense became weak after defender Suraj Thing was replaced due to injury in the second half," KC said.
Monday´s matches
Himalayan Sherpa Vs Army @ 12:30 NST
RCT Vs NRT @ 14:30 NST
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