RCT´s African defender Ntolo Ngoumou easily converted the spotkick awarded in an hour mark to stun the title contender. RCT was awarded the penalty by referee Shrawan Lama after custodian Kiran Chemjong brought down forward Amar Dangol in the six yard box in a one-on-one situation.[break]
The result left Three Star unchanged at the top of table with 26 points. But second placed MMC with a match advantage can topple the leader from summit if it beats Nepal Army Club on Monday. Meanwhile, RCT with equal 23 points as that of Machhidnra moved one spot above on the basis of head to head record.
In the entertaining match, both the teams could not create any remarkable chance during the first half. The only dangerous move came from RCT during the injury time of the first half. But custodian Chemjong punched Bhim Darlami´s header to safety in a cross from Naresh Khatri.
Bikram Lama, left open, squandered equalizing chance in the 63rd minute from close range after he fired high above the bar in Adewumi Femi pass. Four minutes later, RCT´s custodian Prem Kumar Tamang, who got a rare start in the league, made a heroic long stretch dive to prevent a well placed shot of Femi taken from the arch of the area.
Three Star´s Yogesh Gurung, who came as replacement of Victor in the 58th minute, was sent off in the second minute of injury time as he was double yellow carded prompting coach Pradip Humagain to be furious. RCT´s Bhim Darlami fired above the bar during the dying moments of the match.
Humagain blamed referee Lama for not awarding three handballs, including a penalty to his side. Humagain was astonished when Gurung was sent off. "I can´t say why he was sent off," said the furious coach.
Humagain´s counterpart Baiju Kapali opined that his side grabbed scoring opportunities while opponents failed to do so. "Three Star is good team and it did not play bad, but only failed to utilize scoring chances." Kapali also clarified that his side´s target was to qualify for the super eight rather than finish on top of the table in the initial rounds.
He also criticized ANFA and the referee. "ANFA´s decision against RCT was reactive," said the coach referring to a year ban slapped on its key forward Olawala Afeez.
Police on tune
Following a poor start in the season, champion Nepal Police Club has gradually caught its tune. Maintaining its unbeaten run to seven matches, Police edged past Yeti Airlines Himalayan Sherpa Club 1-0 with a lone goal coming from its winger Bhola Silwal.
Silwal, left open, in the area headed in cross of Yogesh Shrestha to score the decisive in the 27th minute. It was the fifth goal of Silwal in the league.
Police climbed two spots up to fifth with 19 points in its kitty while relegation threatened Sherpa remained unchanged in the 12th place with 13 points.
Injury hit Police strike Jumanu Rai, who came in the field in the 52nd minute, wasted twin scoring chances. In the 76th minute Rai hit upright at an open net after beating past two defenders and goalie Binay Shrestha. In the 90th he was denied in one-on-one situation by the glovesman. In the 80th minute, Parbat Pandey´s left flank freekick was punched to safety by custodian Shrestha.
Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha was happy with his side´s gradual improving results in the league. "The gap is slowly narrowing down and the condition has been favorable to us in every other match," said Shrestha.
Sherpa coach Meghraj KC of Himalayan Sherpa said that both got equal chances but his side failed to grab chances. "Our striking line-up has flopped since the beginning of the league. Now our aim is to avoid relegation."
Unsporting behavior by Three Star
KATHMANDU: Three Star Club´s officials and fans resorted to indecent conduct following the team´s 1-0 defeat at the hands of McDowell´s Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) on Sunday.
Three Star´s fans broke the chair of VIP parapet, hurled water bottles, chairs and other objects toward the parapet. They also used hurles abuses at the match referee.
Meanwhile, the tensed officials of Three Star Club also came to the technical area and tried to quarrel with the assistant referee Ashok Bajracharya after Yogesh Gurung was sent off in the second minute of four minutes stoppage time. ANFA officials intervened and took the situation under control.
Three Star coach Pradip Humagain said his side was dissatisfied with the referee´s decision. Referee Shrawan Lama had officiated the match.
Shrestha, Pandey suspended
KATHMANDU: Three Star club will have an advantage during their next match against holder Nepal Police Club as two key players of the departmental teams -- defender Rabin Shrestha and midfielder Parbat Paney -- will miss their match. The duo were booked with third yellow card of the league against Himalayan Sherpa. Meanwhile, Himalayan Sherpa´s Ganesh Khadka will also miss the team´s next match against Jawalakhel Club scheduled to be held on same day.
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