Kathmandu, November 30

Ranjan Bista scored a brace against his former team as Ruslan Three Star Club defeated Nepal APF Club 2-0 in the Pulsar Martyrs Memorial A Division League here at the ANFA Complex grounds on Friday.

Bista scored one each goal on either half to hand Three star their fourth victory in the league, which does not have a provision of relegation this time around. The bottom three sides will face monetary penalties and deduction of points.

Bista opened the scoring in the 25th minute when he scored from the box following a cross from Sunil Bal. Bista doubled the tally in the 66th minute. Fed by Anil Gurung with a flick header inside the area, Bista dodged a defender before firing home from close range.

Earlier, Three Star came close to scoring in the 19th minute but Rupesh KC’s shot from outside the penalty area went inches above the bar. APF created a chance to level the scores in the dying moments of the first half but unmarked Santosh Shrestha failed to convert from the penalty box following a cross from Yuvaraj Khadka. In the 61st minute, Bishwas Udas rescued APF when he made a goalline clearance to deny Nirajan Khadka’s header on a corner kick from Sunil Bal.

With the victory, defending champions Three Star moved to second, level on points with leaders Signature Manang Marshyangdi Club, who have played one match less. Three Star accumulated 12 points from five matches, while APF have four points.

In the day’s another match, Nepal Police Club outplayed New Road Team 3-0 riding a brace from Nir Kumar Rai. Abhishek Rijal scored one goal for NPC, who accumulated 10 points after their second straight victory. NRT are at the bottom following their fourth loss in five matches.

Rai opened the scoring for NPC in the 40th minute when he headed home following a cross from Ajit Bhandari. Rijal doubled the lead in the 66th minute after Rijal slammed home on a through pass from Ravi Paswan. Rai then sealed the victory with his second goal in the 82nd minute after he found the back of the nets on a pass from Rijal.