National player Bhola Silwal scored the only goal of match in the ninth minute, which turned to be the decider. Silwal dribbled past two defenders in the danger area and beat goalie Sandeep Thapa to give an early lead. [break]
The win has secured Police´s lead in points table at least for 24 hours at the top of table with six points winning both the matches played so far. MMC, who takes on New Road Team (NRT) on Monday, could move on the top of the table if it beats the latter. Mitramilan has lost both the matches it has played in the league.
Unlike expectations of many and Police´s dream of huge margin victory, minnows Mitramilan resisted Police´s numerous attacks to impress few hundred spectators present at the stadium.
"We have expected at least a margin of 3-4 goals. Low margin wins would be dangerous in title ambition," said Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha after the match. He also lamented for failing to utilize chances by his side. The Dharan based team was defeated 6-2 by Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) on Friday.
Mitramilan, the debutant in top-flight football, is the one of the two teams from outside capital. It came up with technically sound performance but could not make more than a couple of post attacks. However, Police made about half a dozen of charges on post.
"The boys played excellent today," said Mitramilan coach Sagar Ghimire adding that the low margin defeat against Police shall motivate his team and increase confidence level of the players. "Our target was either to play draw or narrow margin defeat and we achieved it," said Ghimire.
Police skipper Jumanu Rai´s header in the 42nd minute sailed above bar in Pankaj Shahi´s cross and in the 65th minute Pradip Baniya´s quick volley from box went inches wide.
Similarly, Ramesh Katwal strike and Rai´s header simultaneously in the 70th minute failed to achieve target. Baniya was denied by goalie and Rai´s header rebounded from inner edged of the bar.
Mitramilan´s first post attack came in the 17th minute through a free kick. However, Police goalie Ritesh Thapa comfortably took the ball in his grip. During the half an hour mark, Prakash Budhathoki, player on loan from Friends Club for the league, was denied twice by police custodian Thapa. Dewaraj Shrestha, Subarna Samekham and Santosh Tamang are other players on loan in Mitramilan. Shrestha is from Bansbari Club and other belongs to Friends.
RCT holds Himalayan Sherpa
In the day´s kick off, Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) held Yeti Airlines Himalayan Sherpa Club to a goalless draw during their first match of the National League campaign. With the result, both teams have accumulated one point each and are jointly in sixth position.
Despite taking control of the match from beginning to the final whistle and making frequent post attacks, Sherpa was unlucky not to get the back of the net. Sherpa´s three post-attacks hit the woodwork. Unlike Sherpa, RCT could not make single attempt on post.
RCT and Himalayan Sherpa had played 1-1 draw in the Martyrs Memorial League held some five months ago.
Sherpa´s Korean outfit Jeaung Jin Ho´s close range strike in the 19th minute rebounded off the bar and Jagjeet Shrestha saw his two attempts rebound off the woodwork. In the 44th minute, Shrestha´s long-range lob shot and 87th minute right flank shot both rebounded from the pole. In 47th minute, Deepak Rai´s close range tapping off Nabin Neupane´s cross went inches wide.
Sherpa´s coach Upendra Man Singh termed the day to be unfortunate for his side. "It was bad luck that we hit twice at woodwork," said Singh, who expressed satisfaction towards his side´s performance. "The team is yet to set as we have trained only for a week," said Singh. He also said that his team´s target was to win the title.
RCT coach Madhu Karki said that it was difficult for the team to adjust in the first match. "There was no good combination and the fitness level seemed weak after the interval,” said Karki. He also commented that his new African forward Olawate O Afeez failed to play up to his expectations. "I have expected a lot from Afeez but he is not properly set with the team.
Monday´s Matches
Sangam Vs Army
MMC Vs NRT
Related story
Guide team scales Everest at start of spring season
