KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 25

Machhindra Club defeated Manang Marshyangdi Club 1-0 to move to the top, while Himalayan Sherpa Club recorded a 3-1 victory over Chyasal Youth Club in the Qatar Airways Martyrs Memorial A Division League here at the Dasharath Stadium today.

Sunil Bal scored the solitary goal of the match as the defending champions Machhindra prevailed over fellow title contenders MMC to open up one-point lead at the top of the table. Machhindra accumulated 14 points from six matches to leapfrog MMC, who dropped to second with 13 points.

MMC would have sealed the berth in the AFC Cup Qualifiers with a victory but Machhindra's win also brought Tribhuvan Army Club - who are third on nine points from five matches - into contention. The leaders after the seventh round, only the club with AFC Club License, will get the chance to take part in the AFC Cup Qualifiers. Sankata Club also have nine points from five matches but they are yet to acquire the AFC Club License.

In a clash between the two titans at the packed stadium, both the clubs created ample scoring opportunities but they were not able to break the deadlock until Bal's heroics sealed all three points for the defending champions.

At a time when the match was heading towards a goalless draw, Bal produced a moment of brilliance in the injury time when he converted a free kick into a sensational goal from outside the penalty box.

MMC were a better side in the first half with skipper Anjan Bista coming close to opening the scores in the 16th minute. Bista failed to find the back of the nets as his shot missed the target by few inches. Andres Nia Tchounkeu got a double chance to put Machhindra ahead in the 25th minute but his header was blocked by MMC defense line following a free kick from Bishal Rai and he shot wide in rebound.

Machhindra were lucky not to concede a goal three minutes into the second half when Dinesh Rajbanshi's goal-bound header rebounded to play taking a deflection on the back of Devendra Tamang, who had also jumped to clear the corner from Pujan Uperkoti. MMC goalkeeper Bishal Sunar rescued his side in the 64th minute with a brilliant punch to deny Sunil Bal's powerful shot from 25 yards out. MMC's Adeleja Somide handled the ball outside the penalty box in the injury time and Bal converted the resulting free kick to snatch full three points for Machhindra.

Earlier, Himalayan Sherpa Club defeated Chyasal 3-1 for their second win. Himalayan Sherpa accumulated eight points and moved up to sixth behind newcomers Satdobato Youth Club on inferior goal difference, while Chyasal remained at the 13th place with four points. Friends Club are at the bottom of the 14-team table with three points.

Mutamba Pistone Vunyoli opened the scoring for Himalayan Sherpa in the 25th minute and the foreign recruit doubled the tally in the 57th minute. Substitute midfielder Rumesh Bartaula cut the deficit in the 76th minute before Himalayan Sherpa restored the two-goal lead through Suresh Kumal four minutes later.

A version of this article appears in the print on December 26, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.