Three Star that had defeated APF 2-0 in the first leg were unable to repeat the same results in their first match of the second leg after Chemjong made an error of judgment to concede the equalizer in the 24th minute. Chemjong bent down to let in a straight ball towards net shot by Ganesh Lawati of the APF from a long range.[break]
“We were forced to share vital point due to goalie´s blunder,” said Three Star coach Bal Gopal Maharjan. He also expressed his dissatisfaction towards midfield saying that there were not many supplies from midfield.
Earlier, Three Star had taken the lead in early ninth minute through French midfielder Joclyn Morgan. Morgan made a powerful strike from the edge of box in a short pass set by Santosh Sahukhala.
Following the results, both Three Star and APF remained constant in their position. Three Star is in third position with 22 and APF in 10th place with 11 points respectively.
In the competitive first half, both the teams made few attacks. Sahukhala´s header in the cross of Tanzanian midfielder Castory Mumbara for Three Star was punched by goalie Samit Rajbhandari. For APF scorer Lawati´s long range shot went inches above bar.
Three Star totally dominated the later part of the second-half but were unable to find the back of the net.
APF manager Prem Shrestha expressed satisfaction toward the results saying it was an achievement for the team. “There were good markings by players and the team has finally been set,” Shrestha said.
Jawalakhel stun Friends
A late penalty goal from Raj Kumar Ghising for Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club stunned NIBL Friends Club as they defeated Friends 1-0.
Despite consistent pressure from the beginning Jawalakhel were lucky to score the lone goal in the 74th minute. Jawalakhel were awarded the penalty after Friends defender Dipak Gurung handed the ball in the box in a cross made by Dipen Shrestha of Jawalakhel.
In the first leg Friends had defeated Jawalakhel 1-0 riding on a sixth minute goal of Buddha Chemjong. Following the results, Jawalakhel retained their ninth position with 14 points while Friends remained unchanged in fourth position with 19 points.
Earlier, Friends had made as many as half a dozen of powerful attempts in the post, but all in vain Jawalakhel could not only one post attack in the entire match. Deepak Bhusal´s powerful freekick for Friends was denied by goalie Min Basnet more than twice.
In the 33rd minute, Bharat Khawas´s close range strike was blocked by Jawalakhel goalie Basnet. Six minutes later, Ajad Pradhan missed an easy scoring chance in empty net from close range while goalie Basnet was beaten. In 63rd minute, Basnet brilliantly saved Ajad Pradhan´s header in cross of Chemjong.
Earlier in the 33rd minute, Sachindra Dhimal´s header for Jawalakhel from box deflected after hitting their second choice goalie Sagar Gurung´s body.
Friends coach Mrigendra Mishra said that luck did not favor them. Mishra who fielded goalie Gurung instead of first choice Rupak Shrestha said he was dissatisfied with Shrestha´s performance during their last match of the first leg against New Road Team. “I will not field him in any match of the league,” the angry coach said.
Jawalakhel assistant coach Rajaram Karki said that they came under pressure due to absence of their two regular players-Bijay Dhimal and Bikram Lama. Karki claimed to have created pressure during the later stage of the match.
Friday´s matches
MMC Vs RCT
Army Vs Machhindra
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