NRT´s Danish striker Sayan Mosavi scored the decider in the 81st minute of the competitive match to shock star-studded Three Star to maintain their winning streak. In a pass set by Ranjit Shreshta, the Danish brilliantly lob-chipped over an advancing goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong from about 20 yards. [break]
Likewise, army man Shiva Chaudhary scored the lone goal in the 40th minute in a fast match that featured few impressive attacks from both sides. Shiva made a quick attempt from close range in a cross supplied by Bishwa Bairag Samal.
With the win, army came ahead of NRT who have accumulated equal six points playing same number of matches on the basis on number of goals scored. Army have scored five goals and conceded one while NRT have scored two. With a win and a loss, Three Star have three points and are in the seventh spot while Sankata along with Boys Union are in relegation zone.
Earlier, in the 64th minute, man-of-the-match declared NRT defender Nabin Neupane cleared a ball just ahead of the goal-line while goalie Surendra Shrestha was beaten by Santosh Sahukhala in a one-versus-one situation. Santosh´s effort to give a last touch moving toward the post, ahead of goal-line was not materialized as it was cleared before he could meet the ball.
There were very few post attempts in the competitive match that was dominated by Three Star during the later part of the second half. In the 37th minute, Umesh Upreti´s powerful freekick from outside the box was quickly denied by a diving Kiran.
Three Star coach Bal Gopal Maharjan said that the lack of coordination between the goalkeeper and the defenders was the reason behind conceding the goal. “The players failed to show the second half performance in the first half," he said.
“It was a vital match and I am delighted with the win; however, we need to prepare more” said NRT coach Diken Suwal.
Coming up with power and speed show, the army intensified their attacks from the beginning but Sankata showed resistance and created some brilliant moves and attacks until they conceded the goal.
Raju Tamang´s header for army in the seventh minute in a freekick of Ram Kumar Biswas skied before hitting the bar. Four minutes later, Sankata´s Nirajan Malla´s powerful strike was brilliantly taken by goalie Bikash Malla.
Sankata´s Bangladeshi goalie Mohammad Nurul Karim made a brilliant display to prevent the army from scoring a couple of times. Army goalie Bikash too made a brilliant display in the 37th and 71st minute to deny Sankata.
Army coach Raju Kaji Shakya said that his side failed to continue their first-half tune in the second-half. “However, we played for a win and we achieved it,” he said.
Sankata coach Chet Narayan Shrestha said that there was lack of ball supply from midfield. “The army played speed game and we were unable to beat their stamina.”
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