Shrestha struck in the 31st, 55th and 72nd minutes for Jawalakhel to complete his hat-trick against APF who were reduced to 10 men after midfielder Prakash Karki was sent off for a second bookable offense. [break]
Jawalakhel, worried by injuries of four key players, came up with an improved performance to move into ninth position. Jawalakhel have added four points with a win and a draw from five matches of round one while APF are just above the relegation zone with equal points.
Earlier, in the first match Karna Limbu and Naresh KC´s first half goals helped Machhindra climb to the fifth position pushing RCT down to seventh. Substitute Sharesh Shrestha pulled one back for RCT in the 69th minute.
Playing five matches apiece, Machhindra have added eight points with two wins and draws each while RCT have collected five points with a win and two draws.
Shrestha of Jawalakhel who only played three out of five matches due to injuries in his leg, has become the highest scorer with four goals in his account. Sayan Mosavi of New Road Team and Chetan Ghimire of Nepal Police Club are behind Shrestha with three goals each in their names.
Keeping the match under their control, Jawalakhel created frequent good moves against the departmental team APF that is having a disappointing run in the league.
Shrestha opened the scoring for Jawalakhel with a close-range shot in a short cross of Bijay Dhimal, and added his second in the other half lobbing the ball over advancing goalie Sabin Regmi. Shrestha easily netted the third from a header after APF custodian Sabin Regmi dropped Raj Paudel´s cross in the goal-line.
APF could make only a couple of impressive attacks but were denied by Jawalakhel custodian Bikram Gurung.
In the 22nd minute, scorer Shrestha missed a one-versus-one chance with APF defender Dhanbir Chaudhary while goalie Regmi was beaten. Likewise, Raju Padudel´s header for Jawalakhel went few inches wide from the post in the 9th minute.
Jawalakhel assistant coach Raja Ram Karki said that the scorer Shrestha had not fully recovered from injury. “The win is the message to other teams that Jawalakhel have bounced back in the league,” Karki added.
APF coach Maheshwar Mulmi said that his side came up with a totally flop show and added that some of his players were injured.
Earlier, young Limbu of Machhindra chipped past RCT goalie Dilip Chhetri beating an offside trap in a pass supplied by Rupesh KC in the 23rd minute to open their scoring.
Striker Naresh KC doubled the advantage four minutes later. KC´s feeble shot from about 30 yards entered inside the net leaving goalie Chhetri helpless who was a bit far from the goal-line.
Machhindra had made only two moves in the first half and were able to capitalize on them while RCT were unable to create a single move during that period.
Shrestha of RCT who came as replacement for striker Nagen Limbu in the 64th minute, scored seven minutes after his entry. Shrestha made a spectacular goal from zero angle in the second bar to stun goalie Raju Nagarkoti.
RCT coach Madhu Karki who remained dissatisfied with his side´s performance said that the overconfidence of players cost them. “The boys did not play as RCT plays; lack of experienced defense was also another cause for conceding goal,” Karki added.
Machhindra coach Dhruba KC said that both Machhindra and RCT could not play well. “However, the full points we got is an achievement,” KC added.
Wednesday´s matches
Boys Union Vs MMC
Army Vs Three Star
Venue: Dasharath Stadium
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