Nirajan Malla scored the all-important goal -- his first in the national league -- for Sherpa in the 72nd minute to stun MMC. Malla, on loan from Armed Police Force for the league, made a gorgeous acrobatic feat from the box to prove his worth for Sherpa.[break]
The result gave a huge blow to MMC´s title hopes as it dropped two spots to seventh in the points table with three points. MMC has now won one and lost two matches.
Himalayan Sherpa with a win, defeat and draw apiece climbed one spot to sixth. Sherpa has equal four points as that of fourth-place Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) and fifth-place Three Star but is behind them on the basis of goal difference. Police leads the table with nine points and Jawalakhel is in the second place with six points.
Though studded with four national players, including striker Santosh Sahukhala, in the starting line-up, MMC once again failed to sparkle. Nepal´s international striker Anil Gurung´s arrival in the ground as second-half substitute also went in vain. Gurung did not feature in the starting line-up due to hamstring injury.
The first half of the match remained competitive and both the teams created only a couple of scoring chances. MMC´s Japanese recruit Ito Dan´s powerful shot sailed inches above the bar in the 25th minute and African striker Nagah Noah Brice was denied by goalie Bikesh Kutu.
Sherpa could have been 1-0 up during the stoppage time of the first half, had Malla or Dipak Rai connected Jagjeet Shrestha´s pass well at the empty box. Malla and Rai made simultaneous attempts but failed to connect the ball properly and Rai shot wide.
Sherpa dominated the show in the second half and piled up consistent pressure unlike MMC, which could not create a single chance. Rai´s goal for Sherpa in the 52nd minute was ruled as offside.
Following the result, MMC coach Hari Om Shrestha said that the title hopes of his side have become slim.
"Whichever team fails to utilize chances shall lose the match and today we could not utilize chances." Shrestha pointed out weaknesses of striker and hinted at trying new and junior players as strikers in the upcoming days. "The absence of Bijay Gurung and Sujal Shrestha also cost the team dearly." The two are banned for two matches for their involvement in a brawl.
"Our title chance is still difficult and we must snatch points from leader Police and Jawalakhel to become strong contender," Sherpa coach Upendra Man Singh said.
RCT thumps local Sangam
In course of registering its first win and ending goal drought in the National League, Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) thumped Caravan Sangam FC 5-1 on Thursday.
Four goals for RCT came from its African players, including a brace from Olawale O Afeez. Other African recruits Ntolo Ngoumou and Alexis Likeng got one apiece while Amar Dangol was also on the scoresheet.
Ngoumou had opened the scoring for RCT in the 19th minute through a spotkick after Gambhir Pariyar handled the ball in the box while trying to defend David Nkang´s post attempt. Likeng doubled the advantage in the 27th minute.
Sangam´s on-loan player Ganesh Lawati scored in the 35th minute to make it 2-1 before half time. Lawati also missed a penalty in the stoppage time of the first half as goalie Dilip Chhetri made a valiant save.
After the interval, Afeez hit the target in the 49th and 59th minute. Dangol, a 30th minute replacement for Shekhar Limbu, completed the rout in the 53rd minute.
The result left pointless Sangam unchanged at the bottom of the table. It is the only team yet to open its account.
Sangam coach Pushpa KC attributed the defeat to weak defense, lack of concentration and short preparation of his team. RCT coach Madhu Karki attributed timely scoring and improved performance for his team´s impressive win.
Jawalakhel will take on Three Star and Nepal Police Club will lock horns with New Road Team (NRT) on Friday.
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