NRT on top despite draw

KATHMANDU, Sept 19: League leader NRT and RCT, who have been performing strongly in the Martyrs Memorial B Division League, couldn't win their respective games on Monday as they both were held by Khumaltar and Samajik respectively. 

In the first match played at APF ground, Halchowk, RCT played a 2-2 draw against Samajik Youth Club which is struggling in the league. Shekhar Limbu gave lead to RCT scoring in the 15th minute but Samajik's top scorer Bhuwan Basnet took his season's tally to 5 goals after finding the back of the net in the 41st minute. RCT restored the lead in the 68th minute with Dipesh Thapa Magar's goal. But Samajik again leveled the score in the 72nd minute as Dinesh Rai scored his first goal for the club.

After the draw, RCT is now 4th in the league table with 16 points.

In the second match of the day, NRT missed a chance to create a three-point lead at the top of the table as it played a 1-1 draw against Khumaltar Youth Club. NRT took the lead in the 77th minute with Sushil Lama's goal. But, Rajendra Deula, utilizing a pass from Thakur Shrestha, leveled the score for Khumaltar in the third minute of second half injury time.

With the completion of eighth round matches, NRT is in the top with 18 points while Shree Kumari is in the second position with 17 points followed by Chyasal and RCT (both 16 points), Pulchowk and Satdobato (both 13), Boys Union (12), Khumaltar (11), Bansbari (10), Nayabasti, Khumaltar and MYA (all 7). Samajik (4) and Mahabir (1) are in the relegation spots.