African player Abiodun Ibrahim and Santosh Sahukhala scored a goal each after the interval for Three Star that came atop the league table for the first time with its sixth win in a row. [break]With the completion of seventh round, Three Star has accumulated 18 points, one point ahead of second-placed RCT and two ahead of third-placed Machhindra. Madhyapur remained unchanged in the 11th position with seven points.
Three Star celebrate goal. (Photo: Bikash Karki)
In another match, Jawalakhel´s Juma Benlee scored the equalizer one minute from time to deal a major blow to MMC´s title hopes. MMC could have leveled points with second-placed RCT had it achieved victory. Jawalakhel remained unchanged on the relegation border in 13th place with seven points.
MMC, without its key player Anil Gurung who was suspended for one match, broke the deadlock in the 68th minute. African recruit Mbile Leonel Stephen headed in a corner from Nabin Neupane to lead the team ahead.
Jawalakhel achieved the equalizer during the fading moments after Benlee seized the ball from defender Stephen and shot at the far post in a one-on-one situation with custodian Aqbolade Emmanuel Dare.
"Absence of Anil Gurung, Bikash Singh Chhetri and Zambo Anatole Thierry cost the team dearly," said MMC coach Krishna Thapa during the post-match conference. Defender Singh was not included in the line-up due to injury while Thierry was replaced in the 48th minute.
Thapa also lamented missed chances. "We conceded the goal after the goalie left his position," said Thapa.
Bibek Pratap Pant of Madyapur Youth Association (Black) tackles Bijay Gurung of Three Star Club. (Photo: Bikash Karki)
MMC piled up consistent pressure and squandered about half a dozen chances. MMC´s Fils Sergio Chico and Shiva Shrestha missed a couple of golden opportunities. Similarly, Nirajana Malla and Sabindra Shrestha also failed to achieve the target.
Jawalakhel created a chance each in either halves and got the target. Jawalakhel´s coach Kishor KC however, said, "I thank the players for their hard work," said KC, adding, "We had nothing to lose today. We had set the target to earn a point rather than win the match."
In the kick-off match, spirited Madhyapur threw a tough challenge to Three Star studded with national players. The stubborn defense line-up was broken in the 71st minute when Abiodun Ibrahim made a one-touch strike from the edge in short pass of Feni Joshua. Santosh Sahukhala doubled the tally four minutes later from the six-yard box.
Sahukhala guided the ball toward the net in diving custodian Bikesh Kutu´s rebounder off Bijay Gurung´s shot. Highest scorer Sahukhala also extended his goals tally to nine. Earlier in the first half, goalie Kutu had prevented Sahukhala and Bikram Gurung´s header.
Madhyapur´s striker Nirajan Rayamajhi wasted an early scoring chance in the second minute when he ended up passing the ball to Three Star custodian Kiran Chemjong from the edge. In the 79th minute, Raj Kumar Ghising´s shot in a one-on-one with Chemjong hit the woodwork after the goalie had got his hands on the ball.
"It was an entertaining match for us," said Three Star boss Upendra Man Singh, adding, "We had nothing to lose as Three Star is technically sound and in a good shape." Singh also reiterated that his side´s only target is to remain in A division.
Three Star coach Pradip Humagain was delighted with his team´s progress. "My primary focus is to maintain consistency in the team´s performance. After moving to the top of the table we are also under pressure to maintain our position."
Sahukhala misses next match
Three Star´s Santosh Sahukhala will miss his next match against Machhindra to be played on Sunday after he received his third yellow card of the league. Referee Sudish Pandey flashed him a yellow card for his unsporting behavior.
Friday´s matches
Bansbari Vs Army @ 12:30 NST
Police Vs Friends @ 14:30 NST
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