Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, January 27:

Friends Club came from behind to beat Tushal Youth Club 2-1 and United Youth Club held Machhindra Bahal Club to a goalless draw in the Martyrs’ Memorial ‘B’ Division League Football Tournament here at Dasharath Stadium today.

Despite the draw, Machhindra Club lead the standings with 13 points on better goal differences to Bouddha Football Club, who also have 13 points. Saraswoti Youth Club are at the third position with nine points, followed by Friends Club (7). Sano Gaucharan and Tusal have six points each, while United Club have four points. Naxal Youth Association and Kalika Mahabir are at the bottom of the table with one point each.

The top two teams from the nine-team league will be promoted to ‘A’ Division, while a bottom team will be relegated to ‘C’ Division. Galaxy Club — which did not participate in the ‘A’ Division League last year and were relegated to ‘B’ Division — have already been dropped to ‘C’ Division after they opted out of the ongoing league.

On Thursday, Tirtha Lama opened the scoring for Tushal in the 61st minute from outside the D-Box. Kiran Maharjan of Friends scored the equaliser in the 81st minute following Shree Hari Shrestha’s pass from the right flank. A minute later, Bijay Mahat guided the ball alone from the centre and scored the winner for Friends.

Machhindra Club’s Janak Sunuwar, United’s Santosh Gurung, Friends’ Rajesh Shrestha, Suman Thapaliya, Shree Hari Shrestha, and Ajay Thapa of Tushal were cautioned during their matches.