Three Star was also held to a goalless draw by NMB Bank Machhindra Club later in the day.[break]
Second-placed MMC needed a win over Machhindra to keep its title hopes alive. With two matches to go, leader Three Star held a five-point lead over MMC and the latter could have cut the deficit to two points with a victory. But MMC´s draw against Machhindra was sufficient for Three Star to become the champion before playing its match.
After Wednesday´s matches, Three Star has 43 points while MMC lies in the second position with 38 points. Both the teams are yet to play one match each. Third and fourth placed Nepal Army Club and New Road Team (NRT) are on 35 points each and have two matches in hand. Machhindra and Police remained unchanged in the fifth and seventh places respectively with 33 and 31 points.
Three Star players celebrate victory. (Photo: Bikash Karki)
With a lackluster show, MMC hardly looked as if it was playing for the title and failed to pile pressure on the opposition even once during the first half. "Players did not show any enthusiasm even as it was a must-win match for them," MMC´s coach Chhiring Lopsang said during the post-match conference.
MMC´s first chance came four minutes into the second half but skipper Anil Gurung shot high above the bar from the six-yard box. Gurung had collected a rebounder off Police custodian Ritesh Thapa.
In the 70th minute, Yogesh Shrestha´s low strike from the danger zone for Police narrowly missed the target. In the 80th minute, Nirajan Malla of MMC shot above the bar from the six-yard box in a through pass of Sulav Maskey. Three minutes later, Malla failed to connect with Anil Gurung´s pass in the danger zone.
Analyzing his side´s performance in the league, Lopsang said the 1-1 draws against Sankata and Saraswati in the first round of the league turned out to be major setbacks for them. Krishna Thapa, who was the team coach, then quit MMC on moral grounds before the super league rounds began.
Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha opined that poor start in the league cost the defending champion dearly. "We failed to beat weak teams in the beginning," said Shrestha, whose side had earned nine points from the first eight matches of the league.
The late match between Three Star and Machhindra was also a drab affair. None of the teams could produce any chances during the first half. Machhindra piled pressure during the second half after midfielder Bikram Lama was sent off for second booking in the 59th minute.
In the 62nd minute, Karna Limbu´s strike for Machhidnra hit the woodwork. In the 84th, Chemjong was forced to make a fingertip save to deny Limbu´s volley from the six-yard box in skipper Dipak Rai´s pass. A minute later Chemjong made a diving punch to deny Bikram Limbu´s 25-yard strike.
"Three Star was not under pressure today, as it had already been crowned the champion," Machhindra coach Raju Shakya said, adding, "I still hope we can finish fifth." He opined that his side had still a lot to learn.
Meanwhile, Machhidnra skipper Dipak Rai said that differences between the club management and players marred the team´s performance during the middle of the league.
Thrusday´s matches
RCT Vs Army @ 13:30 NST
NRT Vs Friends @ 15:30 NST
Venue: Dasharath Stadium
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