JYC misery continues; Friends win

Kathmandu, November 21:

The misery of Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) continued as it went down 0-2 against Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) while NIBL Friends’ Club edged past New Road Team (NRT) 1-0 in the Martyrs’ Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League at the Dasharath Stadium today.

Rishi Rai scored both the goals for RCT while Utsav KC found the winner for Friends Club in the second game of the day.

Rishi Rai gave RCT the lead in the 21st minute and had another opportunity to double the tally in the 35th minute but the unmarked striker shot straight to JYC keeper Mohammed Nizamuddin. Rai added another through a spot kick after JYC’s Kumar Sunuwar handled the ball inside the box seconds before the final whistle. JYC had numerous chances but could not find nets. Min Lama shot just above the crossbar in the 52nd minute while Dipen Shrestha ruined a certain goal shooting straight to the RCT goalie Dilip Chhetri in a solitary encounter two minutes from time. Dipen Shrestha was adjudged the Adidas man of the match.

JYC coach Megh Raj KC said that he had not anticipated the result. “We are giving tough fight to ‘big’ teams but when it comes to the teams of our level, we falter,” he said. “We won but they (JYC) played much better,” NRT coach Baiju Kapali said. “I am not happy with my boys’ performance.”

In the second match, Utsav KC’s 42nd minute goal was enough for Friends’ Club to earn three points. NRT had their chances to level the scores in the dying moments. Subhash Rai’s low header went inches above the crossbar in the 90th minute and Friends goalkeeper Uzol Manandhar denied Karna Limbu a minute later. Subhash Rai of NRT won the Adidas man of the match award.

Today’s matches:

• APF vs Machhindra @ 1:00pm

• MPC vs Saraswoti @ 3:00pm