Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 9:

Machhindra Football Club upset Sankata Club 2-1 in the day’s match at the Birthday Cup football tour, which has been organised by All Nepal Football Association, here at Dasharath Stadium. Buddha Chemjong and Ajad Pradhan scored for the newly-promoted Machhindra FC, while Sankata got a consolation goal through Sankata defender Bal Gopal Sahukhala, who scored a suicide goal. Machhindra FC took lead through Chemjong in the 45th minute. Fed by Deepak Rai inside the penalty box, Chemjong fired a right-footer leaving the Sankata custodian Sangeet Rajan stranded. Pradhan doubled the tally for Machhindra in the 68th minute when he found the net on his own rebound. Pradhan’s close-range shot in his first attempt was rebounded into play after Sankata goalkeeper Rajak failed to gather the ball, and the striker did not make any mistake on his second attempt. Machhindra’s Bal Gopal Sahukhala scored a suicide goal in the 74th minute when his deflected shot kissed the net while trying to clear Raj Kumar KC’s attempt from the right flank.

The Machhindra Club boys proved their calibre in challenging ‘A’ division club when they did not let Sankata Club players create any goal-threatening moves. Instead, they kept pressure on Sankata boys. Sankata Club’s Kalyan Khadgi hit the cross bar in the 20th minute, while Rupesh Dhaubanjar of Machhindra did exactly the same in the 81st minute. Gudiya Rai, who joined Machhindra from Mahabir Club, came close twice, but failed to convert. Machhindra’s Bal Gopal Sahukhala saved a certain goal in the 66th minute when he cleared the ball from goalline on Sankata striker Raj Kumar Ghising’s attempt. But Machhindra FC coach Diken Suwal replaced Sahukhala with Santosh Gurung after the defender scored a suicide goal.

On Friday, Brigade Boys Club will take on NRT.