KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 15
Friends Club came from three goals down to salvage a 3-3 stalemate with Jawalakhel Youth Club, while Brigade Boys Club and Chyasal Youth Club settled for a goalless draw in the Qatar Airways Martyrs Memorial A Division League here today.
At the ANFA Complex grounds, Loic Njimi Kouahim scored a brace and Rup Bahadur Lama netted one to put Jawalakhel 3-0 ahead in the first half. But they squandered the three-goal lead and Friends staged a superb comeback to salvage a draw.
Nathaniel Jude Garcia scored a brace and Jamoul Anthony Francois netted in the injury time to earn a point for Friends.
After the day's results, the relegation battle has become more intense as seven teams in the bottom half of the table remain six points apart. Jawalakhel remained at the 11th position tied on 10 points with Nepal Police Club, while Friends are 12th on seven, ahead of BBC on better goal difference. Chyasal are at the bottom with six points.
Eighth-placed Himalayan Sherpa Club have 12, while Nepal APF Football Club are at the ninth position with 11 points.
Loic Njimi Kouahim put Jawalakhel ahead in the 12th minute when he found the back of the nets in rebound after Friends goalkeeper Rahul Ramchandra Yadav blocked Suraj Jeu Thakuri's shot on a free kick from Nicholas Fernandes. Kouahim scored his second goal of the match in 40th minute on a pass from Fernandes, while Rup Bahadur Lama made it 3-0 moments before the first half.
Friends skipper Nathaniel Jude Garcia reduced the deficit in the second minute of the first half injury time and he netted his second goal of the match in the 69th minute to bring his side back into the game making it 3-2. At a time when the match was heading towards the end, Jamoul Anthony Francois produced the moment of brilliance and scored the equaliser moments before the final whistle.
At the top half, defending champions Machhindra Football Club lead the table with 26 points, six ahead of Manang Marshyangdi Club. Third-placed Tribhuvan Army Football Club have 18 points, while Three Star Club are further one point behind.
Fifth-placed Sankata Club are ahead of newcomers Satdobato Youth Club on better goal difference with the teams tied on 15 points, whereas New Road Team are seventh on 14 points.
A version of this article appears in the print on February 16, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
