Jagjeet Shrestha was on target twice for Three Star at the artificial turf of ANFA Complex, Satdobato denying the departmental team climbing atop the points table. Bijay Gurung and African player Segun also added one goal each.The result puts Three Star in second place with 14 points from seven matches, two points adrift of leader Jhapa FC but with a match advantage. APF meanwhile dropped to third with equal 14 points but has played one match more than Three Star.
"I am extremely happy to start the campaign with win," said coach Tamang, who replaced Anajan KC from Three Star owing to latter's personal reason. Tamang who also played from Three Star player from 2006 to 2009 said that he decided to grasp the coaching opportunity though he was nervous after being offered the job at his former team. "I was nervous when Three Star offered me the job. Three Star is a star-studded side and I mainly focused on physical fitness in short period of 10 days," he said.
In the evenly-contested affair, Three Star boasting of nearly half a dozen Nepali international and three African players took the lead in the 10th minute. African recruit Segun Eyityato paired perfectly with Bikram Limbu to convert from the zone.
Heman Gurung hit back the equalizer in the 21st minute after Nepali international goalie Kiran Chemjong dropped his freekick letting it pass the goalline. Jagjeet, however, restored Three Star's lead in the 37th minute after he was left unmarked in the zone. He collected Afeez Alawale's pass and volleyed in from close range.
Bijay widened the goal difference in the 59th minute after being fed by Bikram Lama, who collected Sandeep Rai's freekick.
APF's coach Krishna Thapa said that conceding goals in regular interval became a setback for the team. "The goals scored by Three Star help them control the match. Though we had equal ball possession they created better goal-scoring chances.
Meanwhile, two matches will be played on Wednesday. The match between Jagadamba Lumbini FC and Far-western Club scheduled to be played at Butwal on Wednesday has been shifted to the ANFA Complex citing technical reasons. Similarly Morang FC will host Jhapa FC at Shahid Stadium in Biratnagar in another match.
Wednesday's Matches
FW FC V Lumbini @ 15:30 NST
Venue: Satdobato
Morang FC V Jhapa FC @ 15:30
Venue: Biratnagar
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