Kenyan recruit Jone Dike scored a hat-trick for Jawalakhel to earn first points for Jawalakhel. [break]In course of achieving the second hat-trick of League, Dike scored in the 32nd, 44th and 47th minute for the team with four African players in the starting line up. Santosh Shrestha had cut the goal deficit for the departmental team in the injury time of first half.
"Foreigner players had vital role in the victory and the team is yet to settle properly," said Jawalakhel coach Kishor KC who was happy with three points the team earned. Making a brief comment on Dike, KC said, "Dike is a smart player with good attitude." KC was hopeful of better performance in the future.
Referee assist Sarashwoti Club player to stand. (Photo: Bikash Karki)
With the win Jawalakhel climbed to the eighth position from the bottom of table while APF dropped one position below to the last position. Jawalakhel has three points and APF is pointless.
Jawalakhel scored all the goals taking advantage of weak defense and goalkeeping. Dike opened the scoring after defensive blunder of APF players. Dike doubled the tally with an easy shot from close range. The hat-trick was possible following poor clearance of APF custodian Samit Rajbhandari who failed to connect properly on a back pass by Krishna Lama, allowing Dike to score from a tight angle.
Sujal Shrestha of MMC and Sarashowti Club goalie Sanjay Silpakar in action. (Photo: Bikash Karki)
Santosh Shrestha scored for APF during the fading moments of first half making the score 2-1. Shrestha headed into an unattended post in cross of Ganesh Lawati after advancing Jawalakhel´s Cameroonian custodian Sanam Ferland was beaten.
After his side´s second defeat in a row, AFP coach Janak Singh Tharu said his team was under pressure after second consecutive defeat. "I am however, hopeful that we will make up in the upcoming matches and the point gap is also not that big," said Tharu and blamed the weaknesses of custodian in conceding second and third goal.
Earlier, MMC who were held to a ´shock´ 1-1 draw by CMG Club Sankata in it first match, received yet another jolt after it conceded a goal in the 32nd minute aginst Saraswati. But MMC scored three goals after the interval to capture all three points. Saraswati had achieved stunning 2-1 win over Three Star Club in the first match.
With the result, MMC leapfrogged to second position from eighth with four points, equal point as that of leader Machhindra and third placed Sankata. Saraswati having three points dropped a spot below to seventh.
Spectators. (Photo: Bikash Karki)
Saraswati took 32nd minute lead through Ramesh Tamang Ghising, his second goal of the league. Tamang made a brilliant strike from the edged of the box with his solo effort to send the ball past MMC´s Beninese goalie Abohide Emmanuel.
MMC cancelled the lead nine minutes into second half through Sujal Shrestha in corner of Nabin Neupane. MMC´s African defender Mbile Leonel Stephen made in 2-1 in the 64th minute and Amir Shrestha sealed the victory during first minute of the stoppage time.
Stephen scored in short header pass of Anil Gurung in freekick taken by Neupane. Shrestha killed the match in counter attack with a tactful strike from arch.
Saraswati coach Dhruba KC attributed the defeat to inexperience and immaturity of his players. "Lack of match experience and immaturity of players cost us. We failed to hold the ball in second half despite the lead. It takes time for players to mature," said KC who rated MMC as a strong team.
KC´s counterpart Krishna Thapa of MMC said that he was confident of comeback in the second half. "We won the match due to endurance and experience of players. If we had lost today, it would have been difficult to secure a place in the top eight positions as well," said Thapa who lauded opponent´s performance.
Footballers join hands against women violence
The players of Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) and Simrik Saraswati Club released balloons before kick off of their match of the Martyrs League on Sunday to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has partnered with Sathi, a non-government organization to stop violence against women. Sathi has organized a 16-day campaign to stop violence against women.
Monday´s matches
Three Star Vs Bauddha FC @ 12:30 NST
Himalayan Sherpa Vs Bansbari @ 14:30 NST
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MMC defeats SYC 2-0 in Martyr Memorial A-Division League
