In the late kick-off of the day, Koilapani Polestar Club held Swayambhu Club at 1-1 draw to gain first point in the top-flight league.[break]
RCT played a well coordinated game in the first half and took lead in the 20th minute of the match.
RCT´s Amar Dangol shot just wide in the fifth minute and Three Star goalie Kiran Chemjong brilliantly saved Shekhar Limbu´s shot in the 13th minute. However, Yogesh Gurung scored an own goal in an effort to clear Dangol´s shot from narrow angle.
Dangol controlled corner off Ntolo Ngoumou and shot from the narrow angle but Gurung sent it into own net in the goalmouth melee.
In the very first minute of the second half, custodian Chemjong managed to grab a stunning free kick off RCT midfielder Prabesh Katuwal.
In the second half, Three Star tried to make a comeback. Yogesh Gurung´s header in the cross off Vishad Gauchan was saved by RCT goalkeeper Dilip Chhetry in the 55th minute.
African player David Nkang´s shot in the 61st minute hit the woodworks as he utilized a clever shot corner taken by Katuwal. Shekhar Limbu squandered two one-on-one chances in the 67th and 71st minute. Three Star goalie Chemjong blocked his shot in the first occasion while he shot wide the second time.
In the second half, Three Star pressurized RCT but could not score. Chhetri saved a long range shot off Biraj Maharjan in the 66th minute while skipper Sanjeev Budhathoki could not meet a free-kick off Maharjan in the penalty area in the 88th minute. RCT goalkeeper Chhetri made two brilliant saves in the 89th minute and injury time to deny Yogesh Gurung from scoring.
“Boys performed very well today (Friday). We should have won the match with bigger goal margin but Shekhar (Limbu) was unlucky not to score on one-on-one,” said RCT Coach Madhu Karki. “We played defensive match to maintain the 1-0 lead and got some pressure but finally boys managed to win the match.”
His counterpart Megh Raj KC praised RCT. “Their teamwork and good preparation paid well,” said KC adding “My team lacks bench strength and I had no option to substitute any on-field players at the end.”
With the win, RCT jumped to fourth place with 13 points from five matches. With equal points but superior goal-differences, Jawalakhel are in the third spot. Three Star, collecting seven points from five matches, are in the eighth position.
In the second match of the day, Milan Gurung gave Swayambhu a lead in the 14th minute. Lekh Bahadur Gurung´s one-on-one shot was blocked by Koilapani goalkeeper Sajan Shrestha but Milan received it just outside the penalty area and sent it home.
Koilapani skipper Sajan Shrestha cancelled the Swayambhu lead in 41st minute as he headed home a cross off Manoj Gurung to level the match.
In the second half, Koilapani made some attack but could not convert them. Substitute Jeeban Tamang could not meet Mani Lal Gurung´s cross in an open net situation in the 65th minute while Shrestha´s header in the 72nd minute was saved by Swayambhu glovesman Emmanual.
With the draw, Koilapani gained their first point in the ongoing league and moved a spot up in the 17th position ahead of bottom placed Nepal APF Club, who are yet to open their account in points table and scoring sheet. Swayambhu are in the 12th position with 3 points from five matches.