Kathmandu, November 16:

Brigade Boys’ Club (BBC) held Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) 1-1 while Sankata Club and Friends’ Club played a goalless draw in the Martyrs’ Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League Football today.

Anil Lattela scored a stunning 30-yard goal for JYC in the 60th minute before Shekhar Limbu levelled the scores on Dipendra Tamang’s cross eight minutes before time. Earlier in 15th minute BBC striker Ashok Pun wasted a certain goal in one-on-one with goalie Mohammmed Nizamuddin. Jawalakhel was also close to scoring in the 45th minute when Suman Shrestha’s long-range strike was foiled by BBC custodian Bikram Sen Thakuri.

JYC coach Meghraj KC was not satisfied with the ways his boys have been playing at the moment. “They are not performing up to their potential,” lamented KC.

In the lackluster second game, both the teams failed to create chances in the first half. Sankata, however, found their rhythm in the last 10 minutes and had as many as three scoring chances but still could not found the winner.

Biraj Maharjan shot just wide of the bar in the 81st minute and a minute later Friends goalie Ujwol Manandhar saved Ranjit Shrestha’s long-range shot. Friends goalkeeper Manandhar again denied Ranjit two minutes into the second half injury time to secure a point for his club.

Sankata coach Maheshwor Mulmi said that both the teams played poor game in the first half. “We did pressurise them in the second half but could not score,” KC added.

Football lovers express solidarity

KATHMANDU: A group of persons related to football on Thursday voiced their solidarity against the decision of the National Sports Council to revoke the elected committee of the All Nepal Football Association.

The NSC, on November 10, had dissolved 15 elected associations including the ANFA and had reinstated the same committe as ‘ad hoc’ saying that the election was held during the Royal regime. Former and current national players, FIFA and national referees, coaches and ‘A’ and ‘B’ division clubs held a joint prees conference to express their solidarity against the NSC move.

Former national player and the secretary of the ongoing national league Lok Bahadur Shahi, national team captain Hari Khadka, MMC coach Chhiring Lopsang Gurung, former national team captain Upendra Man Singh, JYC coach Meghraj KC, FIFA assistant referee Madhu Sudhan Khanal, U-17 skipper Bikash Singh Chhetri and U-14 captain Nirajan Malla expressed concerns over the future of football and the footballers after the NSC move.

“The Nepali football is moving on right directions but the NSC move will put halt to all the activities,” Shahi said. “Who will take responsibility if FIFA imposes ban on Nepal?” Shahi questioned. Hari Khadka said that football should be kept away from political interference. “If our concerns are not taken seriously, we will not hesitate to take to the streets as the people did during the Jana Andolan II,” Khadka warned. — HNS

Today’s matches:

• RCT vs Machhindra FC @ 1:00pm

• NRT vs Saraswoti Club @ 3:00pm