Army secures fourth place with commanding win over Machhindra

KATHMANDU, Jan 7: Three Star Club and the departmental team Tribhuvan Army Club have finished the Martyr’s Memorial A-Division League on the third and the fourth places, defeating Himalayan Sherpa Club and Machhindra Club respectively on Sunday. 

At the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Complex in Satdobato, Lalitpur, a goal and an assist from striker Ranjan Bista helped Three Star defeat Himalayan Sherpa 2-0. 

Likewise, Army defeated Machhindra 3-0 courtesy of a brace from national striker Bharat Khawas and a goal from Tanka Bahadur Basnet. 

In Lalitpur, Three Star took the lead through Buddha Limbu in the 28th minute as Bista provided him with a wonderful through ball and Limbu hit a brilliant shot at the left bottom corner. 

The first half ended 1-0 in favor of Three Star, but both the teams had several chances to get a goal or two in the half. 

The first chance of the game fell for Bista as he hit a shot from outside the box, but his shot was brilliantly saved by keeper Kishor Giri in the fourth minute, while Himalayan had a glorious chance to take the lead early on in the sixth minute, as Ranjit Dhimal made a terrible mistake near his post, but Karna Limbu could not get a strong shot to score. 

Himalayan Sherpa had two chances to take the lead in the space of three minutes, but could not capitalize them. Tridev Gurung hit a shot from the middle of the penalty box, but Three Star keeper Alan Neupane saved brilliantly in the 21st minute, while Bijaya Shrestha’s shot from outside the box just went off target in the 24th minute. 

Then, Three Star scored in the 28th minute. 

But, Himalayan Sherpa did not lose hope of getting a goal back as Shrestha tried his luck again from outside of the box, but the ball missed the target miserably in the 30th minute. 

Three Star looked quite dull for some time, but paced up its gear and it got a wonderful opportunity to double its lead. Skipper Bikram Lama took a free-kick after Rabi Thapa Magar fouled Bista and got a yellow card, but could not threaten the goalkeeper in the 33rd minute from a very good position.

Himalayan Sherpa got another look on goal four minutes after that as Gurung hit a powerful shot from the left side of the box, but defender Peter Segun brilliantly blocked the shot. In the 40th minute, Gurung looked ambitious to get the game back into level terms as he made a good solo effort rigging past the defense line, but his shot went off target again. 

Himalayan Sherpa’s Limbu had a wonderful opportunity to score as he received a pass from Gurung inside the box, but his shot was wonderfully saved by Three Star keeper Neupane in the 42nd minute. 

Three Star looked totally under pressure as Himalayan Sherpa kept on getting shots, but Three Star backline cleared some and the keeper dealt with the other. 

Himalayan Sherpa was unlucky to concede a goal in the 89th minute despite of its continuous attacking threats. Dhimal provided a good ball to Bista, and he scored via a one vs one situation to make it 2-0 and send the game beyond all doubt. 

With the win, Three Star has secured the third position accumulating 26 points from 13 games, while Himalayan Sherpa has also secured the seventh position with 17 points from the same number of games. 

In Halchowk, Army took the lead through Basnet in the 28th minute, while Khawas scored Army’s second in the 62nd in a rebound and completed his brace in the 74th minute.  Army dominated the game completely and had other chances to extend its lead, but could not capitalize them. 

Dinesh Henjan got a chance early on in the 12th minute, but his shot went over the crossbar, while Santosh Tamang’s shot three minutes after that sailed over the bar as well. 

Tamang had another shot at goal, but the ball went over the crossbar again in the 38th minute. Army got a free-kick after Tek Bahadur Tamang was fouled. Santosh’s free-kick from a good position hit the crossbar and was saved in the 44th minute. 

Then, Army carried on the same momentum in the second period, and bettered its goalscoring threat by adding two more. 

Khawas scored in a rebound to make the score 2-0 in the 62nd minute. Dipak Gurung was fouled inside the box, and the penalty was well-struck by Khawas in the 74th minute to seal the win for Army. 

With the win, Army has sealed the fourth spot with 25 points from 13 games, while Machhindra has become one of the two teams to have its points deduction with seven points from 13 games. 

New Road Team has six points and could eclipse the bottom two places with a win over Brigade Boys on Tuesday. Likewise, a point for both Friends Club and Brigade will avoid the bottom two places even with a draw. Friends will take on runaway leader Manang Marshyangdi Club on Tuesday. 

On Monday, Sankata Club, who has already sealed the second place, will take on the other departmental team Armed Police Force (APF) Club, who has also secured the fifth place following Nepal Police Club’s 1-1 draw against Saraswati Youth Club on Saturday.

 
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