APF, NRT tie ends in a draw; Boys’ Union upset BBC; Machhindra beat Mahabir

Kathmandu, February 2:

Jumanu Rai scored a hat-trick as Mahendra Police Club (MPC) beat Sankata Club 4-1 while Gyanendra Armed Police Force (APF) Officers’ Club and New Road Team (NRT) played a goalless draw in the Martyrs’ Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League matches at Dasharath Stadium on Thursday.

Boys’ Union Club (BUC) registered a crucial 2-0 win over Brigade Boys Club (BBC) while Machhindra Club earned crucial three points against Mahabir Club with a 1-0 win at Armed Police Stadium in Halchowk.

MPC veteran Dev Narayan Chaudhary set up two goals in their win. Arjun Rijal converted one following Chaudhary’s back header in the 13th minute and Jumanu doubled the lead in the 29th minute.

Third choice Sankata goalkeeper Bhaskar Dhoj Khadka’s inexperience of judging the ball let Jumanu head over the advancing keeper. In the 21st minute, Rijal’s stupidity caused MPC to waste a goal as he handled the ball in the goalline after Sankata goalie Khadka slipped the ball on Dipak Poudel’s attempt.

Jumanu scored his second goal six minutes before the break on Chaudhary’s perfect pass. Raj Kumar Ghising pulled one back with a spectacular goal in the 51st minute before Jumanu completed his hat-trick in the second half injury time on Bhola Silwal’s pass.

In the second game, both NRT and APF wasted a couple of scoring chances in their goalless draw. NRT goalie Surendra Shrestha made a superb save denying APF skipper Jivesh Pandey in the 25th minute and Man Sajan Rajbhandary hit the bar in an unguarded post in the first half injury time.

APF goalkeeper Samit Rajbhandary saved Sunil Subedi’s volley in the 32nd minute while Jiven Sinkeman missed a rare chance from six yards, passing the ball to keeper’s hand.

NRT coach Raju Shakya said that the players did not have proper coordination in the absence of key players who are out for injury. “The inexperieced players failed to utilise the chances.”

APF coach Nawal Rana rued hitting the bar in the open chances. “They had improved the game in the last two matches after the return of skipper Jibesh Pandey,” Rana added.

At Halchowk, Gudia Rai’s solitary goal in the 25th second into the game gave Macchindra Club the much needed win. Both the clubs have now 19 points, with Mahabir leading on goal difference.

In another match, veteran Hari Thakuri put BUC ahead in the 22nd minute before Mark D Afam added another in the 34th minute.