The result also brushed aside star-studded MMC´s losses suffered in last two matches. National team striker Santosh Sahukhala and defender Sandip Rai scored a goal apiece during the last moments of either half in the last match of the fourth round. It was the last match for both MMC and Jawalakhel in Pokhara. [break]
The result left Jawalakhel unchanged in second position with nine points, three points behind leader Nepal Police Club. A win could have leveled Jawalakhel´s point with Police, which has 12 points. MMC with its second victory ascended to fifth spot from eighth with six points.
Sahukhala made a skillful display to put the team in charge in the 42nd minute. Sahukhala dribbled past two defenders in the danger area and then beat goalie Dinesh Thapa to give relief to MMC in the team´s very first post attempt. Sahukhala scored utilizing a ball flicked by skipper Anil Gurung, who flicked off MMC defender Jambo Antolia´s clearance.
Rai sealed the victory one minute from time when he unleashed a powerful free kick from just outside the arch of the danger area and it entered net hitting inner edge of the bar. MMC was awarded with free kick after Suraj Thing fouled Shiva Shrestha.
MMC dominated the ball possession but failed to make much post attempts. Earlier, Sahukhala´s 33rd minute left flank free kick sailed inches above bar. Similarly, Jawalakhel also squandered a couple of scoring chances. Jawalakhel could have leveled the score in the 61st minute, had its African recruit Gerard Mukonza not hit wide from close range with only goalie Dinesh Thapa in his way after beating defender Antolio. Earlier, Bishal Rai (jersey no 10) had failed to connect Mukonza´s cross in box.
Following the win, a rejuvenated MMC coach, Hari Om Shrestha, said his side has finally found the tune and shall continue with it in Butwal. "The forwards put maximum effort today (Sunday)," said Shrestha. MMC´s forwards, who are also the forwards of national side, were criticized heavily for their below-par performance in Pokhara.
Jawalakhel coach Kishor KC summed his side´s Pokhara tour as satisfactory and lauded his team´s performance against star-studded opponent. "MMC got the chance and they utilized it, but we failed to capitalize on scoring chances," said KC. "MMC and Sahukhala always put up dashing show against Jawalakhel," he added. Jawalakhel was defeated 1-0 by MMC in the Martyrs League held some five months earlier in Kathmandu and Sahukhala had scored the winning goal then.
Three Star Club beats Sangam
In the day´s early kick off, Mega Three Star Club defeated home team Caravan Sangam Club 1-0 with a lone goal coming from skipper Bishan Gauchan.
In the drab affair against minnows, Gauchan gave an early 15th minute lead to Three Star in a pass supplied by Bikash Singh Chhetri. Gauchan scored in an open net from six-yard box after goalie Tenzing Namgyal slipped while moving forward to snatch the ball from Gauchan.
Three Star climbed on fourth position with seven points while bottom-placed Sangam has not earned any point.
The ball most often rolled around the center area in the entire match. Biraj Maharjan´s 25-yard free kick in the 74th minute went inches wide. In the 80th minute, Sangam custodian Namgyal made a quick punch to deny Bijay Dhimal´s header in a corner off Pokhara lad Anil Ojha.
Ganesh Lawati squandered a scoring opportunity for Sangam in the 55th minute. Lawati´s powerful left flank shot in an unattended post went inches wide as Three Star´s second choice goalie Sanjeev Shrestha was moving ahead to prevent him. Shrestha was fielded as replacement of regular goalie Kiran Chemjong who left the field in 46th minute following a leg injury.
According to Three Star coach Meghraj KC, Chemjong cramped muscle on his left leg. As on previous occasion, KC complained that players of his side did not put up the ´show of Three Star´. KC also summed up his team´s performance in league as below-par.
Sangam´s assistant coach Bikash Gurung blamed referee for unfair decision against ´small teams´. He also blamed that the goal they conceded was an offside. Gurung expressed satisfaction with team´s performance as the defeat turned out to be a ´low goal margin´ defeat for home side.
RCT skipper to miss remaining matches
Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) skipper and first choice custodian Dilip Chhetri will miss the remaining matches of the league. Chhetri had sustained tendon injury in his right feet during RCT´s match against Nepal Army Club on Saturday.
According to Coach Madhu Karki, Chhetri was diagnosed to have broken his tendon in the right leg and will be out of action for at least six weeks. Dr Chandra Kumar Mishra operated Chhetri at the Metro City Hospital in Pokhara on Sunday evening.
"Doctors advised for surgery at the earliest," said Karki.
Chhetri, who has been enrolled in RCT since a decade, was given the armband four years ago. Prem Kumar Tamang shall take the charge of post in Chhetri´s absence. "I think Tamang will be a sound replacement of Chhetri," said Karki.
RCT has four points from four matches in the league and is yet to play five matches.
Monday´s matches
New Road Team (NRT) will take on Yeti Airlines Himalayan Sherpa Club and Nepal Police Club will play against Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) on Monday in their last matches in Pokhara. The remaining 23 matches of the league will be played in Butwal from Wednesday.
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