Brigade did not shy away from creating chances even after going a goal down, instead gave Manang headache throughout the remaining part of the first half. It maintained the possession quite well, and prioritized the cross-ins, but could not find a way through a tight Manang defense.

KATHMANDU, Dec 27: Holder Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) registered three straight wins as it defeated Brigade Boys Club 1-0 to re-establish its top position in the ongoing Qatar Airways Martyr’s Memorial A-Division League in Lalitpur on Thursday. 

After pre-season doubts whether the team can cope up with big names departure and forward Anjan Bista serving a long-term ban, Manang defied expectations to win the first three games without conceding a single goal. 

Starting the league season with a 2-0 and 1-0 win over the departmental teams Armed Police Force (APF) Club and Tribhuvan Army Club respectively, it got past a stiff challenge from Brigade Boys to get to the top. 

In the early kick-off at the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Complex in Satdobato, a first half goal from Jagajeet Shrestha sealed the win for Manang amid a tense encounter which saw Manang dominate the shooting stats, but failed to hold on to the possession. 

Shrestha scored the only goal of the game in the 25th minute as he converted in a rebound after the earlier shot from Vidal Luis Chissano was saved by Brigade keeper Bishal Sunar. 

Brigade dominated in the first 10 minutes of the match getting set pieces and troubling the Manang backline with constant shots. Captain Anil Gurung got an early chance as he hit a shot in the third minute, the shot was saved by Manang keeper Deep Karki. 

Manang then started finding some rhythm in the game as it prioritized the wing as it absorbed the pressure and threatened the minnow with quick passing through the flanks. 

The defending champion got into pressure as the Brigade midfield was trying through passes and was successful with its quick passing plays, but Manang dealt it quite well. 

Bimal Rana, who scored two goals in the first game against APF, had a chance in the 23rd minute, but his shot from inside the box went just out of the frame of the goal. Two minutes later, former national team midfielder Shrestha scored to give Manang the lead. 

Brigade did not shy away from creating chances even after going a goal down, instead gave Manang headache throughout the remaining part of the first half. It maintained the possession quite well, and prioritized the cross-ins, but could not find a way through a tight Manang defense. 

Manang, however, defended quite calmly not letting Brigade take any chances from the through balls and the cross-ins. 

Roshan Magar of Brigade had a real chance to score seven minutes into the second half, but his brilliant shot from the edge of the box was saved by Karki. 

Manang’s Rana had a big chance to double the lead, but his lob shot was saved by Brigade keeper Sunar in the 66th minute, while he got another chance as Ranjan Bista passed  him the ball in the 72nd minute, but Rana could not score. 

Two minutes after that, Manang got a setback as Ek Raj Budathoki was shown a direct red card for his challenge on Bijay Gurung. 

Despite having a man advantage, Brigade could not equalize and settled for a 1-0 loss. 

With the result, Manang has reclaimed its top position and has nine points from three games, while Brigade is in the ninth place with three points after a win and two losses. 

In the other match played at the Dasharath Stadium, Dady Junior Wamba secured yet another point for Jawalakhel Youth Club to keep the side unbeaten in the league so far with a 1-1 draw against Sankata Club. 

Jawalakhel, after a poor performance throughout the match, was lucky to walk off the pitch with a point as it failed to sustain the pressure and allowed Sankata Club to attack constantly. 

Jawalakhel went down in the 36th minute as a sumptuous free-kick of Laxman Ruchal from the right hand side went straight into the post as the defenders and the keeper could not judge the flight of the ball. 

Wamba equalized for Jawalakhel in the 72nd minute with a stunning header from a Hari Kathayat free-kick. 

With the result, Jawalakhel is in the third place with five points including a win and two draws, while Sankata is seventh with four points which includes a win, a draw and a loss. 

On Friday, Army will take on Himalayan Sherpa Club at the ANFA Complex before Saraswati Youth Club fights for its first win of the season against the other departmental team Nepal Police Club at the Dasharath Stadium. 

 
• A-Division_League
 
• football
 
• MMC
 
• Brigade_Boys