Lalitpur, September 26

Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) registered a 2-0 victory over Jagadamba Lumbini FC in the Red Bull National League match here at the ANFA Complex grounds, while Nepal APF Club thumped Morang FC4-1 at the Laxmimarg grounds today.

With the win, MMC climbed to second position with 19 points from 10 points, while APF are at fifth place with 17 points. Jhapa-XI are at the top with 21 points, while Lumbini  and Morang remained at eighth and ninth respectively.

In the match played the ANFA Complex grounds, Rupesh KC and Anil Gurung scored for MMC after a goalless first half. Fed by Dodoz inside the penalty area, KC opened the scoring in the 55th minute when he chipped the ball over Lumbini goalkeeper Dilip Chhetry. Gurung doubled the tally in the injury time as he received the ball from Bishal Rai and slotted home from close range.

Earlier, MMC were unlucky as most of their attempts were either cleared from the line or hit the bar. Lumbini goalkeeper Chhetry saved Dodoz’s strike in the 30th minute, while the striker struck against the bar in the in the 71th minute. The luck was not on part of Dodoz today as Chhetry denied him for the second time in the 86th minute, Gurung came close to scoring his second goal with a chip over advancing Lumbini custodian Chhetry but defender Ravi Silwal cleared the ball from the line.

MMC coach Raju Kaji Shakya was not satisfied with the performance of his boys. “We could not put pressure on the opponents but once we opened the scoring the players played as a set team,” said Shakya, whose team had slammed half-a-dozen goals against Far-west on Thursday. Shakya said the team missed the services of regular goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha, who has been ruled out for six weeks after he fractured right patella in the match against Far-west. Dipesh yadav replaced Rai in the squad.

Lumbini coach Yam Prasad Gurung was happy with the performance of the boys. “Our tactics worked well in the match as we had planned to stop MMC from scoring in the first half,” said Gurung. “In the second half we changed the plan and conceded goals,” he added. Gurung joined fellow coaches in criticising the decisions of referee Bikash Mahat. “The referees favour big teams and senior players,” he claimed.

In Morang, APF dominated the match with Ganesh Lawati scoring a hat-trick against the home team. Lawati opened the scoring in the 21st minute and doubled the tally in the 43rd minute before completing the hat-trick two minutes into the second half. Anjan Bista made it 4-0 in the 66th minute, while Nishan Limbu scored the consolation for Morang in the 84th minute.

On Sunday, Ruslan Three Star Club will take on Sudur Biscuit Far-west FC at the ANFA Complex grounds, while Jhapa-XI will play against Nepal Police Club at the Domalal Rajbansi Stadium in Jhapa.