Himalayan News Service

Lalitpur, March 3:

Nirajan Malla scored four goals as Friends Club thrashed Kathmandu Club 7-1 in the day’s first match of the Nepal Bank Junior (Under-14) League Football Tournament today. With the win, Friends Club accumulated nine points, and were tied with Mahabir and NRT at the top of the table in Group B. Friends have two games on hand, and Mahabir and NRT have one each. MPC and BBC have one point each. Malla opened the scoring in the ninth minute and added another after a minute. Three minutes later, Pukar Gatharaj made it 3-0, while Dipesh Kunwar added another goal in the 17th minute.

Malla completed his hat-trick in the 26th minute through penalty, while Jagjit Shrestha of Kathmandu Club reduced the margin to 5-1 in the 44th minute through a penalty. Niraj Magar made it 6-1 in the 58th minute and Malla completed the rout with his fourth goal for a 7-1 victory a minute later. Dhiraj Shrestha of Kathmandu Club was declared the man of the match. In the day’s Group A match, Sankata Club and Boys Union Club played a 1-1 draw. Anup Lamsal put Sankata ahead in the fifth minute, while Tapan Khadka scored the eqialiser in the 48th minute. Manang Marsyangdi Club are atop with nine points from three matches, followed by Jawalakhel Youth Club (8) and Three Star Club (7). Boys Union have five points, and Sankata earned their first point. Nischal Bam Malla of Sankata was declared the man of the match. Birat Jung Shahi, treasurer of All Nepal Football Association, gave away the Big Mimi and Zoom gift hampers sponsored by Chaudhary Group to the goalscorers and the Man of the match.