After the completion of the 18th round, Police hold top position with 42 points, five points ahead of New Road Team while Army are constant in fourth place with 33 points. Police have won 12 and played draws in six matches. [break]
Both the departmental teams could not make any impressive post attacks. However, Army nearly took the lead after Police defender Suman Subedi´s header in a bid to clear the ball from danger zone took direction toward the empty net while goalie Ritesh Thapa was moving ahead to collect the ball. However, Thapa made an attractive long stretch backward dive to grip the ball.
Army coach Raju Kaji Shakya expressed satisfaction at the result in their vital match but lamented poor show of his side. He said they are targeting to stay within the top four spots.
Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha said his side failed to create good moves in the match. "The absence of Chetan Ghimire also hampered our attacking power," said Shrestha.
Meanwhile, the relegation battle became tougher after bottom-placed Sankata Kathmandu Mall Club won over G Five Machhindra Club 2-0 in the first match of the league that resumed after a month.
Following the win, Sankata climbed one step from the bottom of the table pushing behind Armed Police Force with equal 13 points to the bottom of the table on the basis of goal difference. Boys Union are just above the relegation zone with 15 points.
Nirajan Malla broke the deadlock through a penalty in the second half and substitute Santosh Shrestha added another in the second half to give a sigh of relief to Sankata.
Sankata were awarded a spot kick after Bikram Limbu played a foul on Malla in the box. Shrestha, a 73rd minute replacement for Ram Krishna GC, scored two minutes after his entry capitalizing on a defensive error of Machhindra skipper Rohit Chand and chipped over goalie Bishal Magar to send the ball into the net.
Machhindra coach Meghraj KC said his side was unable to repeat their previous performance due to the month-long break, departure of foreign players and hot climate.
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