Bharat Khawas was the hero for the Martyrs Memorial League champion in its last match in Pokhara as he set up the first goal and then scored the decider. Parbat Pandey put the departmental giant in front through penalty in the 27th minute and Khawas added another in the hour mark. [break]
African player David Nkang scored RCT´s only goal in the 54th minute. RCT was reduced to 10 men after Neeraj Remi Magar was sent off for a second yellow card in the 89th minute, only two minutes after receiving his first yellow card. Magar´s teammate Prabesh Katuwal will also miss the next match, as he was booked for the second time in the league.
With the win, Police extended its lead to five points at the top of the points table with 15 points from five matches, while RCT with four points remained unchanged in the eighth spot.
In the fast-paced match, Pandey scored his third goal in the league through penalty after Khawas was fouled by Krishna Kunwar in the danger zone with only goalie Prem Kumar Tamang to beat.
RCT, who had lost 1-0 to Police in the Martyrs Memorial League held some five months ago in the capital, made it 1-1 in the 54th minute when Nkang scored a brilliant goal from the danger zone out of a scuffle to stun advancing Police goalie Ritesh Thapa. Dipesh Thapa Magar had supplied a long cross to Nkang.
RCT´s joy, however, didn´t last long as it conceded the second and decisive goal six minutes later. Khawas, who appeared for the Assistant Sub Inspector examination a week ago, scored a brilliant header in a corner taken by Yogesh Shrestha to seal the win for his team.
NRT could have scored twice in the first half, had Police´s muscular defender Suman Subedi not defended Olawale O Afeez´s goal-bound strikes. In the 27th minute, Subedi cleared Afeez´s shot inches ahead of the goal line when goalie Thapa had already been beaten. Similarly, Subedi again denied a shot chipped by Afeez in the 44th minute as the Police custodian was moving ahead. Similarly, Nkang´s twin attempts in the second half were also unsuccessful.
Police skipper and forward Jumanu Rai´s powerful strike in the 20th minute from the box was denied by goalie Tamang and his header in the second half was also taken by the goalie.
With only four matches left to play in the league, Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha said that the title was within their reach. "Though we have a good lead, we have to face tough teams in the remaining matches." He also lauded RCT´s performance saying that the opponent team came up with its best performance in the league so far.
RCT coach Madhu Karki reiterated that his side failed to utilize scoring opportunities and termed the clearance made by Subedi in the first half as "bad luck". "The referees don´t punish national players but punish junior players for the same offense," said Karki, criticizing the referee´s decision.
Malla scores twice as Himalayan Sherpa beats NRT
In the day´s early kick-off, Nirajan Malla scored twice in Yeti Airlines Himalayan Sherpa Club´s 2-1 win over New Road Team (NRT).
Malla, who is on loan from Armed Police Force for the league, scored in either half to take his goals tally to three in the league. Malla had also scored the only goal in Sherpa´s 1-0 win over MMC last week.
The result lifted Sherpa one spot to second with 10 points from five matches, pushing Jawalakhel to the third position. NRT remained unchanged in the seventh place with five points. Both NRT and Sherpa have played five matches, one more than Jawalakhel.
Sherpa dominated the first half of the match against NRT, which was without three regular players as they are facing a three-match ban. However, the second half was a different story altogether.
Malla opened the scoring in the 20th minute on a rebound off custodian Binay Shrestha, who had blocked Malla´s header.
For the second goal, Malla hit a brilliant half-volley from the box in Dinesh Karki´s shot. NRT made it 2-1 when Bahar Luxamba scored out of a scuffle from the box utilizing Sushil KC´s corner. Sushil KC and Rajan Adhikari´s attempts in the 59th and 80th minutes were saved by Sherpa goalie Bikesh Kutu. At the other end, NRT goalie Binay Shrestha foiled three attempts by Dipak Rai in the first half.
Sherpa coach Upendraman Singh said his side had taken NRT easily as they were without three key players. "The victory is vital for us and will boost the team´s morale in the remaining matches to be played in Butwal."
NRT coach Raju Shakya commented that his side had become unbalanced as he failed to field a set team.
There will be no match on Tuesday as the remaining 23 of the total 45 matches will begin in Butwal from Wednesday.
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