Champions Machhindra scored two early goals to bag a 2-0 victory over Jawalakhel Youth Club and inflict them their third defeat in a row while Himalayan Sherpa Club's hunt for first win continued as they failed to hold on to their first minute lead to settle for a 1-1 stalemate against Nepal Police Club in the Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League on Wednesday.
An own goal and a freekick goal from defender Ranjit Dhimal inside 21 minute became sufficient for Machhindra in the late fixture at the Dasharath Stadium to level with leaders Satdobato Youth Club and Manang Marshyangdi Club on top of the standings.
In the early kick off, Suman Lama pulled an equaliser for the departmental team at the hour mark to cancel captain Bishwash Shrestha's 53rd second lead for Himalayan Sherpa, the fastest goal of the league. Shrestha beat Dinesh Rai's previous fastest goal timing of 11 minutes in Brigade Boys Club's 3-2 victory over APF Football Club.
Machhindra joined leaders Satdobato and MMC on top of table with seven points after the completion of the third round of the league while Jawalakhel are yet to open accounts in the standings. Police climbed jointly to fourth position with five points along with Sankata Club and Tribhuvan Army FC. Himalayan Sherpa remained unchanged at joint 10th with two points.
Machhindra went ahead in the 14th minute when defender Simanta Thapa turned the ball from the six-yard box into his own net in his effort to clear Avishek Rijal's cross. Jawalakhel replied two minutes later through forward Onguna Junior but goalie Bishal Shrestha denied his strike.
Dhimal poured cold water on Jawalakhel's comeback hopes after his freekick hit the back of the net. Machhindra were awarded the freekick after a foul on Azerbaijan forward Norlan Novruzov by Cameroonian defender Loic Kouahim.
"The boys played well, but we faced defeat due to flaws from the goalkeeper Tikendra Singh Thapa. We conceded both goals due to the custodian's mistake. He failed to judge how to play in particular situations," said Jawalakhel coach Kishor KC who also openly criticised his players. "We have easy fixtures for upcoming matches. I hope it will be easy to play against them. But on the part of the player or coach, whoever doesn't perform well will be fired."
Machhindra coach Prabesh Katuwal said that he was happy to win against a tough side like Machhindra. "Early goals made it easy for us to play. Championship is the only target of the team but the road is not so easy," said Katuwal.
Shrestha found Indian midfielder Moinuddin Khan's pass just outside the left side of the area and struck at the near post to send the ball to the back of the net. Himalayan Sherpa tried to keep the ball possession in the first half and denied the departmental team from creating remarkable chances.
But Police came up with an offensive approach after the break and piled up consistent pressure. They brought in veteran forward Jumanu Rai and winger Bhola Silwal in the second half. The pressure was rewarded during an hour mark when forward Lama, left unmarked inside the area, volleyed to turn in Rabi Paswan's cross exactly from the outer edge of the six-yard box. The pacey winger Paswan made an impressive run to collect Tej Tamang's through pass from the area to create the momentum for the goal.
Police's central defender Anjan Rai's failed to convert two attempts in quick successions as he struck above first on the first occasion and later he was denied by custodian Kishor Giri. Himalayan Sherpa's late freekick on goal through skipper Shrestha went straight on Police goalie Satrughan Chaudhary's hand.
Himalayan Sherpa coach Yugal Kishor Rai was frustrated by the team's performance. "Win or defeat are natural in football, but the team failed to perform as per planning. After analysing the opponents' performance in the last two games, we have trained accordingly to stop their strategy of a high-pressing game. But the boys could not play how they were trained to play," said Rai, adding that two points from five matches would definitely put the team under pressure.
Police coach Ananta Tamang said that his side came under pressure after conceding early goal. "It is difficult to gain three points in every match. But we gained point as a result of the attacking game. We introduced experienced players in the second half and that gave a balance to the team," said Tamang.
The fourth round of the tournament will kick off on Wednesday.
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