Kathmandu, March 5

Jawalakhel Youth Club stunned two-time defending champions Machhindra Football Club in the Martyrs Memorial A Division League here at the Dasharath Stadium today.

In other first round matches, Satdobato Youth Club defeated New Road Team 2-1, while Sankata Club and Tribhuvan Army Football Club played a goalless draw.

JYC ended Machhindra's 19-match unbeaten streak in the League. Machhindra had won 17 and drew two in their last 19 matches since losing 2-0 against Himalayan Sherpa Club two years ago. Machhindra had defended the League title with a run of 11 wins and two draws last year.

Hisab Thapaliya, Nkote Mosabi and skipper Simanta Thapa scored for JYC after Devendra Tamang had put Machhindra ahead in their first match of the league that began on Friday. Tamang opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when he converted a free kick into sensational goal. Thapaliya levelled the scores in the 59th minute, while Nkote put JYC ahead five minutes later. JYC skipper Thapa made it 3-1 in the 76th minute.

At the Chyasal Stadium, Royal Blue Satdobato Youth Club registered a 2-1 defeat against New Road Team. Deepak Raj Singh Thakuri scored both goals for SYC, while Nicolas Song replied for NRT. After a goalless first half, Thakuri opened the scoring in the 45th minute, while Song levelled the scores for NRT in the first half injury time. Thakuri restored SYC's lead with his second goal in the 84th minute.

In the day's first match played at the Dasharath Stadium, Tribhuvan Army FC played a 0-0 draw with Sankata Club. Both sides created a couple of scoring chances but none of them could find the back of the nets.

With the completion of the first round, five teams - newcomers FC Khumaltar and Church Boys United, APF Football Club, Satdobato Youth Club and Jawalakhel Youth Club - earned three points each, while four clubs - Himalayan Sherpa Club, Manang Marshyangdi Club, Tribhuvan Army FC and Sankata Club got one apiece. Machhindra FC, Three Star Club, Friends Club, NRT and Nepal Police Club faced defeats in the first round.

A total of 14 clubs are taking part in the League organised by the All Nepal Football Association. Top three clubs will receive Rs 7.5 million, Rs 5 million and Rs 2.5 million respectively. Fair Play award winners will get Rs 300,000. The best player of the tournament will win Rs 300,000, while top scorer and best goalkeeper will earn Rs 200,000 each. The emerging player of the tournament will get Rs 150,000. The ANFA has allocated Rs 3.25 million each to all the 14 participating teams as preparation money.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 6, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.