Kathmandu, January 12:

The newly promoted Machhindra Club held mighty Manang Marsyangdi Club (MMC) to a goalless draw while Mahendra Police Club (MPC) rallied against another new entrants Bouddha Football Club (BFC) before winning 2-0 in the Martyrs’ Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League Football Tournament at Dasharath Stadium today. New Road Team (NRT), who went down miseralbly (0-4) against Sankata Club in the first leg, took a revenge with a solid 3-0 win at APF grounds in Halchowk.

In the first match, Machhindra rendered MMC totally helpless. MMC was lucky to have drawn the match considering the missed chances by Machhindra. “We were lucky to have earned a point,” admitted MMC coach Chhiring Lopsang. Lopsang said that his team should have lost the game instead with the kind of game his players played.

Machhindra missed as many as six good chances, especially three of them a rare one. AM Michael spoilt a golden chance in the 17th as he shot wide in one-on-one with MMC goalkeeper Bikash Malla. Bikash Subba was next who misconnnected a shot from close range in an open post in the 64th minute. In the 77th minute, Milan Adhakari’s shot was saved by MMC goalie Malla.

Machhindra coach Diken Suwal said that his strategy of playing counter attacking game worked but rued the absence of good strikers.

MPC had a tough time against Bouddha. Inspired by the previous result where it held MPC to a gaolless draw, Bouddha once again gave a good fight. Bouddha’s goalkeeper Subash Neupane was at his best denying MPC time and again until Jumanu Rai provided a breakthrough in the 87th minute. Parbat Pandey sealed MPC’s win when he converted a spot kick in the injury time. MPC was awarded the penalty after Diwas Rai brought down Jumanu inside the box. MPC coach Yugamber Suwal said that his team did not performed well in the game.

At Halchowk, Sunil Subedi put NRT ahead in the 13th minute following Jeevan Sinkeman’s cross before Subash Rai doubled the tally seven minutes later. The 85th minute substitute Naresh Shrestha ensured NRT’s win when he scored the third goal two minutes later.

MMC expel Upreti, Subba

KATHMANDU: Two players of MMC, Umesh Upreti and Anil Subba, have been expelled from the team on Thursday for thier indiscipline.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, MMC coach Chhiring Lopsang informed about thier expulsion. “I can’t bear indiscipline to the extent that a reserve player puts off his boots during the match,” Lopang said. “We will hold a meeting soon to decide on the mater,”

he added. — HNS

Today’s matches

At Dasharath Stadium

• TAC vs JYC @ 12:30pm

• Three Star vs Friends @ 2:30pm

At APF Ground, Halchowk

• APF Vs RCT @ 12:30pm