KATHMANDU, Dec 23: As Three Star Club played a goalless draw against Chyasal Youth Club in the ongoing Martyr’s Memorial A-Division League in Halchowk on Saturday, the title contender Three Star has failed to reduce the points gap with Manang Marshyangdi Club, which is leading the points table so far.
While high-flying Sankata Club was held for the first time this season with a 1-1 draw with struggler Brigade Boys Club later on Saturday, it failed to extend its lead over Three Star.
In the first match played at the Armed Police Force (APF) Club’s Halchowk Stadium, Three Star failed to get a firm hold on the game as Chyasal looked a better team in terms of attacks and chances it created.
Chyasal created most of the chances in the first half and was unlucky not to score as its frontline could not jam up well with the midfield, while the flanks had put a lot of crosses in the first 30 minutes or so.
Three Star’s flanks did not work as expected with fullback Ranjit Dhimal failing to present his usual game, and the forward line being totally isolated as the midfielders could not control the game. It was Three Star’s worst first half performance after its 2-1 loss against Manang in November when it conceded two first half goals in the space of seven minutes.
Manang back in title contention after beating Sankata
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Despite creating plenty of chances, Chyasal could not score. Chyasal got an early chance in the first half as Shanta Bahadur Gurung’s shot from the edge of the box grazed over the bar in the fourth minute.
Three Star’s Dhimal got a chance from the set piece to produce something, but his free-kick which was headed by Buddha Limbu went straight into the hands of the Chyasal goalkeeper Dinesh Thapa Magar in the seventh minute.
Chyasal created another opportunity to score, but Sajin Thapa Magar who was free to Three Star’s penalty box could not score in a one-versus-one against keeper Alan Neupane in the 13th minute.
Chyasal’s Elvis Appiah Sarfo hit a shot from outside the box, but the shot went over the bar in the 16th minute.
Three Star was all over the place trying to foil the constant threat from Chyasal, but the stability in the midfield was missing. Amir Shrestha of Chyasal got a free-kick in the 41st minute, and his good set piece was punched away to safety by Neupane.
Three Star presented an improved performance in the second half creating some chances, but none of those were threatening and the team could not score.
Ajayi Martins Kayode got a chance to give Three Star a much-needed lead in the 52nd minute, but his effort was foiled, while Mikchhen Tamang passed the ball to Messoumbe Abang Albert, but he failed to score in the 72nd minute as well.
With the result, Three Star is at the third place with 23 points, four less than Manang and two less than Sankata. Manang still has one more game in hand.
Later, on the same day, Sankata and Brigade Boys were held in 1-1 draw. Amit Tamang gave the lead to Sankata through a spot kick in the 13th minute, while a powerful shot from Jaya Gurung in the 28th minute equalized the match.
With the result, Sankata is still at the second place with 25 points, while Brigade is at the 12th place with six points.
