In the day´s kick off match, Iceberg Madhyapur Youth Association held Machhindra Club to 0-0 draw.[break]
In course of achieving first victory over the departmental giant after 34 years, Ritesh Khadka and Ekjan Tuladhar netted in either half for Sankata. Last time, Sankata had achieved victory over Police was during the semifinal of Tribhuvan Challenge Shield on 2035 BS. Sankata, on that occasion, was declared winner despite loosing the match after its protest was approved by tournament organizer.
The results lift Machhindra and Sankata to the top of points table with four points apiece with the beginning of second round of matches. Police with a single draw is in the 11th place and Madhyapur is in the seventh place with two points.
Police weakened by prolong injury of some its key players was forced to settle for 1-1 draw in the inaugural match against Madhyapur, another team promoted to A division in the current season.
Police on Monday, suffered another setback after its two key players - skipper Jumanu Rai and defender Suraj BK were forced to leave the ground in the 17th minute after picking head injury. Nepali international striker Rai and BK were rushed to the hospital after they collide with each other.
"We came under more pressure after our last defense BK picked up injury. Another key defender Suman Subedi was excluded from the list as he had not fully recovered from his ankle injury," said Shrestha whose side conceded the first goal with only 10 players on the pitch as he had not replaced skipper Rai till that time. According to Shrestha both of the injured players recieved stitches on their head.
Ritesh Khadka put Sankata ahead in the 24th minute with quick shot from the close range in Ekjun Tuladhar´s pass who doubled the advantage in the 70th minute. Tuladhar made a brilliant strike from the top of the area in Sudip Limbu pass to stun Police custodian Ritesh Thapa.
Police created a couple of attractive moves but failed to utilize them. Police was unlucky not to level score in the 52nd minute as Ramesh Katwal´s strike rebounded off the bar. In the 58th minute, winger Bhola Silwal failed to beat Sankata´s African goalkeeper Ndoe Mbarga Pierre in one-on-one situation.
Police coach Birat Krishan Shrestha termed the defeat as an unexpected. "Being defeated at the hands of team like Sankata will be harmful in long run," Shrestha said adding, "If the list of injured players increase and such results repeat, we will have difficulty in finishing in the top eight positions as well."
Sankata coach Maheshwar Mulmi said that his side was under pressure to play against Police as it was defeated in the Ncell Cup as well. According to Mulmi scorer Tuladhar who came to Nepal for his vacation from England will return shortly.
Earlier, in the day´s kick off match Madhyapur played a draw, the second such result for the newly promoted side in as many matches.
Bed Shrestha and veteran forward Nirajan Rayamajhi missed one chance each for Madhyapur in the first half. Machhindra goalie Dinesh Thapa Magar made a diving save to deny Shrestha´s close range strike. Rayamajhi missed a sitter in Shrestha´s cross.
Bishal Rai was denied by Madhyapur goalie Bikesh Kutu in the 28th minute while Karna Limbu and Bishal both failed to connect ball inside the six-yard box.
Machhindra was unlucky in the 63rd minute as Bikram Limbu´s low shot from 20 yards rebounded off the pole. Custodian Kutu also prevented Laxmi Shrestha´s close range strike in the 63rd minute.
Madhyapur coach Upendra Man Sing expressed satisfaction with the single point achieved by the team. "We got vital point today against the opponent that is technically better than us. The players did their duty very well," said Singh who revealed recruitment of two foreigner players in the team.
Singh´s counterpart Raju Shakya of Machhindra lauded the opponent team. "Losing points to Madhyapur is disadvantageous to us," said Shakya. "Opponent played well and came up with solid defense," said Shakya. "Our striker Deepak Rai could not play. We are in contact with three foreigner player and they are likely to join the team shortly."
Related story
Two loaded guns seized
-1773673205.webp)
-1200x560-1773818828.webp)
