KATHMANDU, Jan 2: Second half substitute Ashish Lama scored a brace as Armed Police Force (APF) Club defeated Saraswati Youth Club 2-1 to register its first win of the ongoing Qatar Airways Martyr’s Memorial A-Division League’s season on Thursday.
In a match played at the ANFA Complex, APF’s attacking start was capped by Buddhi Man Rai’s first attempt toward the goal in the second minute before the shot got deflected.
Saraswati dominated the possession throughout the entire first half. It had a chance to take an early lead when Tirtha Bahadur had a golden chance in the eighth minute but his shot was saved by APF’s goalie Amrit Kumar.
Saraswati had another chance in the 12th minute but striker Krishna Gopal Shrestha missed the goal by a margin.
But it was AFP who frequently attempted on goal pressuring the opponents. Prabin Kumar Syangtang utilized a cross from Sudip Shikhrakar two minutes later but his shot went off target. Kumar tried his luck a minute later only to miss the post by an inch.
Nabin Lama headed the ball from the corner in the 33rd minute attempt but was saved by Saraswati goalkeeper Pradeep Bhandari.
Saraswati had a great chance in the additional minutes of the first half but Amrit Kumar denied Tirtha for the second time with a wonderful save.
Substitute Ashish Lama broke the deadlock for APF in the 63rd minute. Lama tapped in converting a beautifully set-up pass from Prabin Shrestha from inside the box giving Saraswati goalkeeper no chance.
APF’s Aakash Bahadur Magar was booked for a bad foul in the 72nd minute. Saraswati had a chance from the free-kick but failed to capitalize in the attacking side.
Lama doubled the lead for the departmental side with his second in the 93rd minute. He was assisted by Nabin Lama.
Seconds later substitute Binod KC converted a header for the losing team giving them their first goal of the season but was not enough to fight back as APF registered its first win.
The defeat leaves Saraswati at the bottom with no points. Saraswati has lost all four games whereas APF is on tenth after tasting the first win and is level on points with Chyasal, New Road Team and Sankata Club.
New Road Team will face Jawalakehl Youth Club on Saturday while leader Manang Marshyangdi Club will take on second placed Machhindra Club in the battle for the top spot later on the same day.
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