Kathmandu, February 8:

The 30th-minute strike from Arjun Rijal gave Mahendra Police Club (MPC) a 1-0 win over Machhindra Energizer Football Club while relegation-threatened Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) hammered Boys Union Club (BUC) 4-0 in the Martyrs Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League Football here at the Dasharath Stadium on Thursday.

With the win, MPC moved on top with 55 points. With four rounds to go, long-time leaders Tribhuvan Army Club dropped to second with 54 while Nabil Three Star are third with 48 followed by defending champions Manang Marsyangdi Club at 45.

The JYC win has now brought four teams under pressure to avoid relegation. Boys Union Club are 11th with 15 points followed by JYC and Saraswoti which have 13 points each but JYC are ahead on better goal difference. Brigade Boys Club are at the bottom with nine points. MPC skipper Hari Khadka, who missed an open header in the 23rd minute, corrected his previous mistake by setting up the goal to Rijal, who fired home with a left-footed shot from six-yards. Bal Gopal Sahukhala of Machhindra won the Adidas man of the match award.

MPC assistant coach Anil Adhikari didn’t even hesitate to say that the championship was almost at their hands. “We played better despite missing two open goal scoring chances,” Adhikari added.

In another match, Gaurav Thapa scored two and set up another to Suman Shrestha in JYC’s win. Anish Rana also got his name in the score-sheet. Thapa put JYC ahead following a corner by Jaggu Nath Khadka in the 13th minute. Suman doubled the JYC tally when Gaurav released the ball to him after beating as many as four defenders inside the box in the 54th minute.

Anish made it 3-0 tapping in from close on a perfect cross from Dipen Shrestha in the 69th minute. Gaurav put the issue beyond doubt scoring his second goal of the match in the 70th minute. Gaurav was adjudged the Adidas man of the match. JYC’s win was only the third in 22 matches.

JYC coach Kishor KC was happy that his boys finally implemented what they are taught during training. “They played better because they followed the instructions in the field,” KC said adding that the win has enlivened their hopes of survival.

Today’s matches

• Brigade Boys vs Saraswoti Youth Club @ 12:30pm

• Tribhuvan Army Club vs Friends Club @ 2:30pm