KATHMANDU: Machhindra Football Club held defending champions Nepal Police Club to a goalless draw while NIB Friends Club beat Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club 3-1 at the Martyrs Memorial San Miguel A Division League here at the Dasharath Stadium today.

In a tense match marred by referee’s controversial decisions, Machhindra looked more organised than the Policemen. Machhindra completely dominated the latter 45 minutes and they found the back of the nets in the 83rd minute from Bishal Rai on a rebound off NPC goalie Ritesh Thapa. But, assistant referee Nani Ram Thapa raised the flag ruling offside that not only infuriated the Machhindra camp but also the fans who started throwing the hoardings from the media box.

Midway into the second half, a strong penalty appeal by the Machhindra players was also turned down by referee Bikash Mahat. Settling for their fourth draw from seven matches, coach Dhruva KC said he was disappointed with the decisions and suggested the referees to show maturity. “We had appealed to the match commissioner for the goal but our plea went in vain,” said KC.

Machhindra included Brazilian Daniel Soares Neves in the playing set but the midfielder failed to put impression muffing up a one-on-one with Ritesh in the 38th minute. Machhindra skipper Bishnu KC’s powerfully struck shot in the 53rd minute sailed inches over the bar. NPC strikers Ju Manu Rai and Chetan Ghimire were unable to show their true colours against the tight defense line set by Machhindra.

Ju Manu, however, managed to shot twice in the frame but missed on both the occasions. The unmarked striker hit a powerful shot in the 33rd minute but the ball went miles above the bar, while the influential striker failed to convert in an one-versus-one encounter with Machhindra custodian Bishal Magar in the 82nd minute.

NPC coach Birat Krishna Shrestha, one of the 12 coaches to show dissatisfaction over referees’ decisions in the league, said the referees had been taking decisions under pressure and were not in a correct presence of mind. NPC stayed in the second spot with 15 points from seven matches while Machhindra (10) slid one step down to fifth.

Later in the day, Friends came back strongly from a goal down to register their fourth victory that sent them two spot up to the third position with 12 points. Pukar Gahatraj, Azad Pradhan and Bharat Khawas scored for Friends after Tanku Lama had put APF ahead in the eighth minute after his shot took a deflection off defender Deepak Thapa before kissing the nets.

APF goalie Sabin Regmi made a blunder in the 18th minute when he failed to judge Pukar’s shot that bounced in front of him and sailed into the nets. APF coach Maheshwor Mulmi later said the goal changed the complexion of the match. Friends dominated the match after the equaliser with Sushil KC missing twice in the 31st minute. His curling shot out from the area rebounded off the pole and another powerfully struck shot was superbly punched out by APF custodian Sabin.

Azad put Friends 2-1 ahead in the 52nd minute when his intended cross to Buddha Chemjong entered the goal. Friends earned a penalty in the 72nd minute after Sudeep Shrestha was adjudged to have brought down Bharat Khawas in the danger zone and the latter made no mistake in converting the spot kick.