The winger netted in the 15th minute, 65th minute and in the stoppage time as Army earned a comfortable win over its archrival to join Three Star Club at the second position in the standings.Besides Three Star and Army, APF also has equal 14 points, three behind leader Jhapa. However, APF stands fourth on the basis of inferior goal difference to Army and head-to-head rule against Three Star. Army and APF have both played eight matches while Three Star has a match advantage over them. Meanwhile, leader Jhapa has played nine matches. The fourth defeat of injury-plagued Police left it unchanged at the seventh place with eight points.
"The match between Police and Army is always a tough match. But we had the advantage of absence of key players of Police. However, second-choice players of Police played very well," said Army Coach Meghraj KC during the post-match conference.
In the one-sided affair, Nawayug gave an early lead to Army in the 15th minute. He headed in cross from an acute angle from defender Hiranya Magar as the ball crossed the goalline beyond the reach of second-choice goalie Roshan Khadka.
Coming up without its five first-choice players - skipper Jumanu Rai, Bhola Silwal, Rabin Shrestha, Ritesh Thapa and Suman Subedi - in the starting line-up due to injury, Police conceded the second goal midway through the second half.
Nawayug sprinted with the ball after he collected a clever pass from Nepali international Raju Tamang and beat goalie Roshan from close range. Two minutes after conceding the second goal, Police fielded regular skipper-cum-forward Jumanu, who is yet to recover fully, in place of Hem Tamang. However, he failed to make any noticeable impact in the match.
Nawayug completed his hat-trick in the fourth minute of stoppage time when he comfortable lobbed the ball past advancing goalie after collecting a pass from Santosh Tamang.
Nepal Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha said that the injuries of his key players cost the team dear. He also informed that recovery of first-choice goalie Ritesh and Nepali international duo Bhola and Rabin would take some time. "I took risk by fielding Jumanu in the second half. He is yet to recover fully," said the coach, adding, "We tried to keep ball possession but there were lots of miss passes."
Friday's Match
MMC V Three Star @ 15:30 NST
Venue: ANFA, Satdobato
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