MYA skipper Jeevan Sinkeman netted the equalizer during the last minute of the match to cancel Three Star´s lead taken through Bikram Lama nine minutes earlier. MYA was favored by a slippery pitch in the course of stealing the point from Three Star. [break]
Sinkeman sent the ball past net from close range taking advantage of inattentive Three Star defenders. Sinkeman scored in a cross from Bal Gopal Sahukhala after goalie Kiran Chemjong tripped over while moving to collect the ball.
Earlier, Lama, the 39th minute replacement of Sunday Eze Lawrence put Three Star in the driving seat with a volley from close range in a cross from Santosh Sahukhala. Three Star had come up with two of its four foreign players in the starting line up.
MYA coach Upendra Man Singh termed the 1-1 draw as a great achievement for the club during post match conference. "The result is like a win for us. As a coach I, the club and players had taken the match as a challenge," Singh said adding, "I give the players the credit for the win. They really worked hard."
Singh also opined that the result will help make the club achieve more support and love from Thimi and Bhaktapur denizens. Singh, however, said that it was still a tough task for them to cross the group stage.
"´We are a new side and we still need to learn more, the result we achieved (today) was possible due to teamwork. Friends and APF Club are also in our group. So it is a challenging task for us to make it to the quarterfinals."
Three Star coach Meghraj KC said that his side played well. "The boys played well and also created chances but failed to convert them." Thapa also blamed inattentive defender for conceding the equalizer.
KC also opined that it was difficult to rate which side was stronger as the season has just begun. "About 90 percent players have switched over to new teams so it is difficult to predict which side is strong."
Veteran striker failed to utilize scoring chance in an hour mark for MYA. Nepali international goalie Kiran Chemjong denied Rayamajhi in one-on-one position in a pass from skipper Sinkeman.
Earlier, Three Star studded with half a dozen Nepali internationals missed a couple of scoring opportunities before the interval. In the 12th minute MYA golvesman Bikesh Kutu denied Santosh Sahukhala´s close range strike. A minute later Biraj Maharjan´s 20-yard strike sailed inches above bar. In the 16th minute, Bijay Gurung´s flick header in Anil Ojha freekick went inches wide.
Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) will lock horns with Machhindra Club on Friday.
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