Lalitpur, April 6

Three Star Club registered 1-0 victory over Tribhuvan Army Club, while two-time defending champions Machhindra FC needed an injury time equaliser for a 1-1 draw with Himalayan Sherpa Club in the Martyrs Memorial A Division League here today.

At the Chyasal Stadium, Martins Kayode Ajayi of Three Star scored the solitary goal of the match in the first half, which was enough for them to walk away with full three points. Ajayi put Three Star ahead in the 17th minute with his fourth goal of the league.

He is one goal behind Royal Blue Satdobato Youth Club's Dipak Raj Singh Thakuri in the highest scorers' list.

Ajayi found the back of the nets in one-on-one situation with TAC goalkeeper Samit Shrestha after skipper Bikram Lama's through pass beat the offside trap. With their third win in six matches, Three Star accumulated 10 points and moved up to sixth place, while TAC are eighth on eight points.

At the ANFA Complex grounds, Machhindra were staring at third defeat of the league in six matches but Gharti Magar rescued the team from going down with an equaliser in the fourth minute of the injury time.

After a goalless first half, Himalayan Sherpa took the lead in the 85th minute through Satyam Sharma, who scored from the spot. Tshiring Gurung handled the ball inside the box while trying to clear the ball crossed by Machhindra's Nishan Limbu and Sharma sent goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha to the wrong side.

At a time when the match was heading towards the end, Gharti Magar produced the moment of brilliance to salvage a draw for Machhindra.

Gharti Magar found the back of the nets capitalising on lack of coordination between Himalayan Sherpa defenders and goalkeeper Kishor Giri following a cross from Tshiring Gurung.

Bhutanese national team skipper Chencho Gyeltshen, the highest paid footballer in Nepal's league with a salary of $5,000 per month, made his debut for Machhindra but he too failed to make much impact for the club.

Gyeltshen created a chance for Olawale Afeez in the 28th minute but his pass went in vain after the striker was denied by Himalayan Sherpa goalkeeper Giri.

Himalayan Sherpa and Machhindra are tied on six points after their third draw in six matches. Both the teams have recorded one each win, while they have faced defeats in two matches.

A version of this article appears in the print on April 7, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.