Had Star defeated or held Madhyapur, Birgunj Youth Academy would have promoted to the ´A´ division and Star had a chance to qualify for the B Division National League.[break]
However, Madhyapur had a flying start on the crucial match played at the National Police Academy, Maharajgunj. Gautam Nakarmi scored in the seventh minute of the match from a close range as Nirajan Rayamajhi flicked a corner from Kishor Dewa to him. Star´s goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri could not grip a superb cross off Dewa to Yaman Rajbahak and the latter scored in a goalmouth melee in the 11th minute.
After an early 2-0 lead, Madhyapur was a bit relaxed and Star took the advantage of it. Nirmal Dura beat an offside trap in the 25th minute and lobbed the ball but it went wide.
However, Dura was superb a minute later when he scored against advancing Madhyapur goalie Ramesh Thapa Magar. Four minute later, Bimarsha Shrestha made it 2-2 from a 25-yard free kick.
Former national team striker Rayamajhi missed a one-on-one chance for Madhyapur in the 30th minute and his header few minutes later hit the woodwork.
In the second half, Star put up attacking show but Nirmal Dura´s long-range shot hit the bar in the 50th minute.
Rayamajhi, who joined Madhyapur only from the ninth match of the league, brought back blushes on the face of Madhyapur fans in the 54th minute as he scored from the area. Rayamajhi volleyed a cross from Yaman Rajbahak into the net.
Star would have levelled the match, had Dura not missed a chance on open net in the 84th minute.
Madhyapur has 29 points from 14 matches and the second position while Sankata Club became the champion with 30 points from 14 matches. Birgunj has 28 points and third position.
“After scoring two goals in the early first half, we had started thinking of easy victory but it didn´t happened so,” said Madhyapur coach Prakash Baidhya. “However, I´m happy today as we qualified to the ´A´ division after a five-month long preparation and labor,” he added.
First ´A´ division club from Bhaktapur
Madhyapur Youth Association became the first ´A´ division club from Bhaktapur in the history of Nepali football.
Though, all the current ´A´ division clubs are only from Kathmandu valley, there was no football club from Bhaktapur in any league format.
Madhyapur achieved the glory on Tuesday after qualifying to the ´A´ division. “We are a community based club and whatever we are today, it is because of local support from Madhyapur and Bhaktapur,” said club President Upendra Man Singh, who is also a former national team captain.
“Upendra (Man Singh) and the whole Madhyapur Youth Association family work hard for the last four five years. They established academy to produce footballers from the valley and finally succeeded to reach top level,” said coach Baidhya.
Madhyapur Youth Association was established on December 30, 2006. It played ´C´ division qualifying in the next year but failed. However, it succeeded to qualify in the ´C´ division in 2008. After that, Madhyapur didn´t look back. Madhyapur qualified to ´B´ division in 2009.
“Local people and donors and sponsors supported us for running academy and club. All those supports helped us to reach top level within a short period,” said Singh.
Singh to quit HSC next season
Madhyapur Youth Association President Singh, who is currently coaching Yeti Himalayan Sherpa Club in the ongoing Red Bull ´A´ Division League, said that he will look after his own club in the next season.
“For now I´ve duties with Himalayan Sherpa. My duty, now, is to give my best to the Himalayan Sherpa in the National League but I´ll devote my time to Madhyapur from the next season,” said Singh.
“Though I´m the president of the club, I´m also a technical person and I´ll lead the club on the both fronts,” he added.
Singh also said that the Madhyapur Youth Association would soon call all the professional players from Bhaktapur to join their own club.
“We will hold executive committee meeting and decide whether to fight for championship in the very first season or slowly build up club financial and infrastructural base,” said Singh. “I´m happy at the moment but I´ve seen challenges as well. Surviving in the ´A´ division is a very challenging task for a club management,” he added.
Rayamajhi on cloud nine
Former national team striker Nirajan Rayamajhi missed the previous season of the Martyrs Memorial League due to technical reasons. Rayamajhi, who holds the highest goal scorer record for the national side, surprised all as he debuted for Madhyapur in the B division on the mid of the season.
Madhyapur, which was performing average in the initial phase of the league, brought in Rayamajhi only from its ninth match and he scored six goals from seven matches to help his side qualify to the ´A´ division.
“I´ve a dream to make comeback in the ´A´ division league. Probably I´ll play next season for Madhyapur as Madhyapur qualified to the ´A´ division and the club management is supporting me well,” said Rayamajhi.
“I´m happy to help my team to qualify into the ´A´ division by scoring some crucial goals,” he added.
Kathmandu Club beats Samajik Youth
Meanwhile, Kathmandu Club defeated Samajik Youth Club 4-2 in the first match of the day. Sajan Pradhan scored two goals for Kathmandu Club while Prabesh Karmacharya and Surya Tamang added a goal each. Prabin Syangtan scored both the goals for Samajik. With the win, Kathmandu Club has 17 points and the ninth position while Samajik has 20 points and the eighth position.
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