KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 16

Machhindra Football Club defended the title of the Qatar Airways Martyrs Memorial A Division League with two rounds remaining here at the Dasharath Stadium today.

Norlan ZO Novruzov scored the solitary goal as Machhindra edged past newcomers Satdobato Youth Club 1-0 in the 11th round match. With their ninth win in the league, unbeaten Machhindra accumulated 29 points to take an unassailable nine-point lead against Manang Marshyangdi Club. Satdobato remained at sixth position with 15 points.

MMC have three matches in hand and they can reach to 29 points but the eight-time champions cannot overtake Machhindra on head-to-head basis. MMC had faced a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Machhindra in the sixth round. Defending champions Machhindra have also earned berth in the AFC Cup qualifiers after they finished the seventh round as leaders.

On Wednesday, Satdobato gave Machhindra a hard time in the first half but the newcomers failed to maintain the tempo after the break and the defending champions rode their luck to win the match, thanks to a 53rd minute goal from Novruzov.

Satdobato goalkeeper Abishek Baral did a good job to block a header from Devendra Tamang following a cross from Sunil Bal but the ball rebounded to play off the cross bar and Novruzov had the simplest of the jobs, a tap in from close into the open net.

Earlier, Satdobato created a couple of chances to take the lead but they just faltered in front of the goal. Machhindra goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha collected a free kick from Satdobato skipper Man Bahadur Tamang in the ninth minute, while Sudip Gurung wasted a chance for the newcomers in the 18th minute following a corner from his captain. Satdobato goalkeeper Abishek Baral denied Machhindra striker Bimal Gharti Magar in counter attack moments later.

Machhindra came close to opening the scoring in the 22nd minute but they could not find the back of the nets in two attempts. Satdobato custodian Baral blocked a header from Sunil Bal on a corner from Ranjit Dhimal before Neeraj Chaudhary made a clearance from goalline to deny Norlan ZO Novruzov in rebound. Bimal Gharti Magar saw his header saved by Satdobato keeper Baral two minutes later.

Satdobato had the best of the chances in the 29th minute but the strikers failed to convert the opportunity following a corner from Akash Budha Magar before Machhindra goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha rescued his side by collecting a close-range shot from Neeraj Chaudhary in a crowded penalty box. Machhindra custodian then made a spectacular save as he acrobatically punched out a header from Martin Adelphe S Nanga on a free kick from skipper Man Bahadur Tamang in the 32nd minute.

In other matches, Tribhuvan Army Club played a 1-1 draw with Himalayan Sherpa Club, while Three Star Club and Nepal Police Club also settled for a 1-1 stalemate. With their seventh draw in 11 matches, the unbeaten Army remained at the third place with 19 points, while Three Star, who played their sixth draw, are fourth on 18. Himalayan Sherpa are eighth on 13 points, while NPC are at the 10th position with 11 points.

At the ANFA Complex grounds, Army took lead in the 26th minute through George Prince Karki's goal following a pass from Tek Bahadur Budhathoki.

Himalayan Sherpa levelled the scores in the 65th minute after Mutamba Pistone Vunyoli guided the ball alone from the centre of the pitch and beat past goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu in one-on-one situation.

The TAFC were reduced to 10 men in the fifth minute of the injury time when goalkeeper Kuthu received a red card after he brought down Himalayan Sherpa forward Suresh Kumal outside the penalty box.

At the Dasharath Stadium, Ritik Kumar Khadka put Three Star ahead in the 21st minute following a head pass from Sanjok Rai after NPC defenders failed to clear a cross from Hemant Thapa Magar. NPC levelled the scores in the 53rd minute when Suman Subedi headed home on a free kick from Tej Tamang.

A version of this article appears in the print on February 17, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.