Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 6:

Machhindra Bahal Club, the club which had been playing in the ‘B’ Division since last 29 years, won the Martyrs’ Memorial ‘B’ Division League beating Bouddha Football Club 2-0 here today.

Machhindra finished atop of the league standings on better goal difference with 19 points. Already-qualified Bouddha, also with 19 points, finished second. Kalika Mahabir Club (5) and Naxal Youth Association were relegated from the nine-team league.

In an one-sided match in which Bouddha defenders did not even bother to stop Machhindra strikers inside the penalty area, Arjun Rijal opened the scoring in the 16th minute and Arjun Rai doubled the tally in the 51st minute.

President of Machhindra Bahal Club Sunil Kapali said that the win made their dream of playing in the ‘A’ Division come true. Bouddha FC coach Arjun Lama was absent in the title-deciding match.

In a meaningless match, skipper Tirtha Lama scored a hat-trick as Tushal Youth Club thrashed Naxal Youth Association 8-6.

Tushal took lead in the fifth minute through skipper Tirtha Lama. Two minutes later, Surya Gurung doubled the tally. Devin Shrestha gave Tushal a 3-0 lead in the 17th minute. In the 23rd minute, Seraph Kayastha reduced the margin to 3-1 for Naxal.

In the 33rd minute, skipper Tirtha Lama scored his second goal and completed his hat-trick in the 53rd minute. Deepak Subba made it 5-2 for Naxal in the 50th minute and Sunil Tamang pulled one back making it 5-3 in the 56th minute. Five minutes later, Umesh Kusuwar added another goal for Naxal whereas Krishna Thapa scored the equaliser making it 5-5 in the 65th minute.

Chandra Rana put Tushal ahead in the 67th minute, while Devin made it 7-5 in the 73rd minute. Surya Gurung scored Tushal’s eighth goal, while Sunil Tamang made it 8-6 in the 76th minute.