Ajay Kumar BK scored the lone goal over departmental team Nepal Army Club in its 1-0 win while Dipesh Thapa Magar netted both goals after the interval for RCT in its 2-1 win over NIBL Friends Club. Nirajan Khadka pulled one back for Friends. {break]
With the results, leader NRT and second placed RCT, leapfrogged from sixth and seventh places respectively, and are the only teams to maintain their 100 percent winning run. Both of them have six points apiece. Friends and Army having played goalless draws during their first match are in 11th and 12th positions.
During the second match held at the Dasharath Stadium, BK scored decisive goal for NRT in the 40th minute firing from the area in an acute pass of Subash Gurung B, a 32nd minute replacement of Sushil KC. Two months earlier, Army had defeated NRT 5-0 during Ncell Cup in capital.
NRT coming up with four African players in the starting lineup piled pressure in the first half and created a couple of chances but the second half was just the opposite with Army dominating the match and creating about four chances. But the departmental team´s hopes of finding the equalizer went in vain.
Nawayug Shrestha 60th minute strike and Bharata Khawas 90th minute header was caught by NRT custodian Raju Yogi. In the 76th minute, Tek Bahadur Budathoki missed a golden chance to equalizing when he fired high above bar from the close range.
"The win has boosted our morale," said NRT coach Diken Suwal during the post match conference. Suwal also lauded his midfield and Nigerian forward Sequn Akinade Eyitayo.
Army coach Yogambar Suwal said his side could not score despite satisfactory performance. "Rather than domestic players, Nepali football now has to depend on foreigner players," said Suwal.
In another match, Friends´ quest of victory remained unfulfilled. Friends have not achieved victory after beating Three Star Club 1-0 during its second group stage match of Ncell Cup.
Dipesh Thapa Magar scored twice within nine minutes. Thapa opened the score in the 51st minute and doubled advantage nine minute later, assisted by Amar Dangol on both the occasion. Thapa Magar broke the deadlock in Amar Dangol´s header that rebounded from the pole off Yugal Kishor Rai cross. Thapa Magar netted the second from area in Amar Dangol´s pass.
Nirajan Khadka cut the deficit in the 72nd minute for Friends studded with three Nepali international including skipper Sagar Thapa and African goalie Toyln Bashir. Khadka scored a brilliant goal from the right flank of area to stun RCT custodian Dilip Chhetri.
RCT which dominated the match had nearly taken the lead in the 10th minute when its African recruit Oladipo Olawale Afeez hit the upright from the six-yard box. In the 35th minute, Deepak Gurung rescued Friends when he made a goal-line clearance to prevent Afeez, who fired after beating goalie Bashir, from scoring. Afeez squandered another chance in the 71st minute.
Friends made a couple of goal attempts in the second half, but both were off target. Deepak Gurung headed twice but could not achieve the target.
RCT coach Madhu Karki lauded his team´s performance. "The performance was better than our last match and we should have scored before the interval," said Karki adding the opponent failed to play up to his expectations. Karki said that his side concede goal due to mistake of goalkeeper.
Dilkaji Gurung : Senior players have attitude problem
KATHMANDU: NIBL Friends Club coach Dilkaji Gurung looked frustrated after his side lost 2-1 against McDowell´s Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) in the Martyrs League on Tuesday. Making the brief comment about his side performance he said it ´lousy.´
"The boys played horribly since the beginning," said the coach who also hinted of misunderstanding with senior player of his side including skipper Sagar Thapa and Nirajan Khadka.
"There is no misunderstanding of players and coach with the management and I should take responsibility for difference with the players. I might have over expectations from the players," said Gurung.
Friends players Thapa, midfielder Khadka and defender Deepak Bhusal are the members of Nepali national team while Jagjeet Shrestha is the former national player. Thapa is also the skipper of national team. Thapa, Khadka and Jagjeet Shrestha were shown yellow card by referee Sachin Amatya.
Skipper Thapa and RCT´s African forward Oladipo Olawale Afeez were shown yellow cards in the 68th minute after the two nearly exchanged brows. Thapa had fouled Afeez. "Such attitude of player who leads the national team is not good," said Gurung making comment on Thapa.
Today´s matches
Sankata Vs Saraswati @ 12:30 NST
Police Vs Machhindra @ 14:30 NST
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