In another match of the day, Friends Club registered a 1-0 victory over newly promoted Swayambhu Club.[break]
Former national skipper and NPC´s new coach Hari Khadka, who took charge of the team for the first time in the valley, said the team failed to utilize good opportunities.
Rai had earned a spot kick in the 68th minute after Som Bahadur Malla handled the ball inside the box. Rai failed to capitalize the chance as he shot wide to the right.
NPC players also missed a chance in the final moments of the game when Rai dribbled the ball beating two defenders but his shot bounced off the keeper Rupak Shrestha. The ball moved toward NPC player Yogesh Shrestha, whose shot hit a HSC defender and got deflected.
Rai had earlier beat the keeper in the 65th minutes but his shot went high above the bar to the right side.
HSC´s best shot came in the added time of the first half when Nabin Neupane´s powerful shot was saved by NPC custodian Ritesh Thapa. HSC´s first shot off a free kick from the left flank curled toward the top left corner of the post in the second minute but Thapa punched it above to give the opponents a corner kick.
Meanwhile, Parbat Pandey´s free kick was on target twice but was punched by HSC goalie Shrestha in the first half.
HSC coach Upendra Man Singh, also a former national skipper, said he was satisfied with the team´s performance. Singh, who took up the coaching job a few months ago, said his team was also lucky as their opponent missed two sure shots.
In the day´s earlier kickoff, Azad Pradhan´s goal in the 15th minute was enough to secure a victory for Friends Club. Pradhan scored the decider from 20 yards in a free kick.
Both the teams missed a couple of chances to score. Bhim Lama of Sowayambhu hit a curling free kick, which was on target in the 62nd minute, but Friends´ custodian Sunan Thapa foiled his attempt. Sowayambhu had the freekick after Milan Gurung was fouled by Sunil Raut.
Pradhan had another opportunity to score in the 70th minute as he raced toward the post with the ball but Sowayambhu goalkeeper Mahesh Thakuri denied him his second goal diving toward the right just in time to block his shot.
Sowayambhu coach Bikram Lama said it was their first year in the ´A´ division but he was satisfied with the overall performance. He however said that the midfield was weak.
Paras Chaudhari, who also took over Friends´ coaching role just a week ago, said they missed many chances because of weak midfield.
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