The win lifted Machhindra to the top of the table in group A and strengthened its semifinal hopes. Machhindra has four points from two matches. In the first match it had shared points playing 1-1 draw with academy team of I-League side Mohun Bagan. Earlier on Wednesday, Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club of the same group had defeated Yeedzin FC of Bhutan 3-1 in the five-team group. [break]
Machhindra will lock horns with Bhutan´s national champion Yeedzin FC on Wednesday.
Coming from goal deficit, Machhindra leveled the score through a penalty kick taken by Rajin Dhimal in the first half. Skipper Karna Limbu, Bishal Rai and Olawala O Afeez scored one apiece for Machhindra for the comfortable win.
Arambagh had taken the lead through Akbar Hossein in the ninth minute. Hossein converted an indirect freekick taken from the six yard box. But Dhimal hit back the equalizer through a penalty awarded after skipper Limbu was fouled in the danger zone by Arambagh defender.
Capitalizing on a defense error of an Arambagh player, skipper Limbu made it 2-1 in the 58th minute. Bishal Rai widened the goal margin in the 64th in a pass by Afeez. The Ivory Coast forward sealed the victory one minute later dribbling past two defenders in a pass by Ajay Kumar BK.
Afeez, who featured from Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) in the last edition of A division league in Kathmandu has been slapped one-year ban by All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). He had misbehaved with referee during a match against Army.
Daffodil, Rajan Memorial win in penalties
KATHMANDU (REPUBLICA): Daffodil School and Rajan Memorial School registered tiebreaker wins on Saturday under boy´s category in the Coca-Cola Cup Inter-school Boy´s and Girl´s Football Tournament being held in Kathmandu. Daffodil edged past Adarsha Higher Secondary School 6-5 in tiebreaker following 1-1 draw in the regulation time.
Bikram Lama had put Adarsha ahead but Daffodil equalized through Amin Tamang. Similarly, Rajan Memorial toiled hard to beat Jeevan Tara 4-3 in the penalty shootout. The regulation time had finished on a 0-0 draw. In the third match of the day, Siddhartha Vanasthali saw off Creative Learner´s Academy 2-1. Mohan Gurung and Ashish Lama were on target for Siddhartha Vanasthali while Rabi Matram netted for Creative.
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