KATHMANDU: New Road Team (NRT) survived a seven-goal thriller to edge past Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) 4-3 while Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) overcame relegation threatened Sankata Kathmandu Mall Club 1-0 in the Martyrs Memorial San Miguel A Division League here today.

Shayan Mosavi struck a hat-trick and Ranjit Shrestha scored the another for NRT while Raj Poudel replied with a brace and Bikram Lama scored the third for the JYC. With the day’s results, NRT climbed one spot up to second with 20 points from nine matches. Nepal Police Club lead the table with 21 points, four points more than third placed Nabil Three Star Club. RCT stay at eighth with 11 points, JYC ninth with seven on better goal difference to Nepal APF Club, and Sankata are 11th with six points.

Mosavi opened the goal scoring spree early in the first minute when he capitalised on a defensive error before lofting over the advancing goalkeeper Bikram Gurung to score in an empty nets. Ranjit doubled the tally nine minutes later with a stunning 20-yard strike. Mosavi made it 3-0 in the 13th minute. The ball rebounded off the post following a strike from Nirajan Rayamajhi in an open post.

JYC were staring at an embarassing defeat before Raj Poudel came of the bench to reduce the deficit in the 34th minute. Raj capitalised on a goalkeeping mistake to revise his team’s hope.

NRT goalie Surendra Shrestha fumbled the ball to let Raj score the first JYC goal. Mosavi, however, helped NRT retain their three-goal advantage four minutes later. Mosavi converted a cross from Nirajan to complete his hat-trick.

The match was far from over as Raj headed home his second goal in the first half injury time to make it 4-2. JYC were back in contention when Bikram Lama headed home on a corner kick from Dipen Shrestha in the 60th minute. NRT, however, survived some nervous moments to escape with full three points. JYC played the last seven minutes with a man down when Sunil Raut was sent off for his double bookable offence. “It’s good that we earned three points but I am disappointed,” said NRT coach Diken Suwal.

In the second match, Buddha Chemjong scored in the 49th minute to hand RCT the victory over Sankata. Sankata’s best chance on goal came in the 25th minute when Sujan Shrestha applied a dipping 25-yard shot only for RCT goalkeeper Suman Legal to make equally brilliant save. Sujan jumped high to punch the goal-bound ball away for a corner.

RCT suspend Kunwar

KATHMANDU: Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) suspended Krishna Kunwar for three years on Thursday. RCT said the player was out of their contact since March 19 after receiving a helfy amount of Rs 208,000 from the club. “He is out of contact since taking nine-month salary along with dailly allowances, boot, jerseys and medication cost,” said RCT in a release. The club has sought action against the player from ANFA. “We came to know that Kunwar is in Sikkim to play local qualifying league and request the ANFA to take action against him.”