KATHMANDU: Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) inflicted a 1-0 defeat to Machhindra Football Club and 10-man Nepal Armed Police Force Club (APF) beat bottom of the table Boys Union Club 2-0 in the Martyrs Memorial San Miguel A Division League here today.

The league standings remained unchanged after the day’s results. While Machhindra stay seventh with 12 points, JYC hold the ninth place with 10. Boys Union are at rock bottom with five points from 10 matches. Nepal Police Club lead the table with 22 points, two more than New Road Team who have played a game less.

Sachindra Dhimal scored the winner for JYC in the 24th minute, moments after Raj Poudel missed a sitter. Dhimal scored a spectacular goal, firing in a volley following a Yogesh Shrestha corner kick. A minute earlier Raj squandered a certain goal from eight yards. With only goalkeeper Bishal Magar to beat, Raj chipped the ball into the hands of Machhindra custodian Bishal Magar.

Machhindra came close to equalising in the 44th minute when Daniel Baroni Neves cut through two defenders but shot straight to goalie Min Basnet from 12 yards. Deep into the first half injury time, Machhindra wasted a certain equaliser when Bishal Rai failed to score from eight yards in one-on-one with goalkeeper Min Basnet.

Both the teams failed to create any notable moves in the entire second half. “It was a very important match for us and we had to labour hard to earn the points,” said JYC assistant coach Rajaram Karki. Karki also rued the missed chances in the first half.

In the other match, Ganesh Lawati and Niraj Shrestha scored second half goals to ensure three points to APF. Remarkably both the goals came after APF were reduced to 10 men. Janak Singh was sent off for the second bookable offense in the 51st minute. But Lawati gave APF the lead in the 61st minute capitalising on a Prakash Karki cross. Niraj converted a Kumar Thapa corner kick to seal the match 12 minutes before the final whistle. After the win, the APF coach Maheswor Mulmi claimed that his club was certain to avoid relegation. APF currently lie 10th with 10 points from as many matches in the 12-team double-legged league.