Kathmandu, November 17:

Naresh Khatri and Rishi Rai scored a goal each as Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) defeated Machhindra Energizer Football Club 2-0 and Jeevan Sinkeman scored a brace in New Road Team’s (NRT) 2-0 victory over Saraswoti Youth Club at the Martyrs’ Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League here today.

In a lackluster match between the neighbours at the Dasharath Stadium, Khatri put RCT ahead in the 33rd minute when his powerful drive from 20 yards kissed the net. Rishi Rai doubled the lead six minutes later following a pass from Rajan Gauchan.

RCT goalkeeper Dilip Chhetri, who made spectacular saves in couple of occasions, was named the Adidas man of the match.

RCT custodian Chhetri made a stunning save in the 29th minute when he stopped Buddha Chemjong’s long-range powerful shot. RCT, who were without injured defender and skipper Madhu Karki, should have taken a lead in the 25th minute but Binod Shahi muffed up

a certain goal on one-on-one situation with Machhindra goalkeeper Dash-arath Adhikari. The second half was even more tedious as both the teams failed to threaten posts.

In the other match, Jeevan Sinkeman put NRT ahead in the 47th minute after Saraswoti skipper Jay Thapa failed to clear the ball. Sinkeman doubled the lead in the 85th minute following a pass from Kiran Kapali inside the penalty box. NRT earned a spot kick in the 59th minute when Bijay Gautam brought down Jeevan Sinkeman inside the danger zone, but Subash Rai wasted the opportunity with a wide shot.

Today’s match

• Nabil Three Star vs APF @ 2:30pm

Memorandum to NSC

KATHMANDU: A group of former national footballers, current national team players, referees, coaches and A, B and C division clubs, on Friday handed over a memorandum to National Sports Council member secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha and sought the revival of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) elected body.

Led by former national footballer Lok Bahadur Shahi — who rejoined the ANFA recently as the secretary of National League Organising Committee after a self-inducted isolation of four years, a group of about 50 people, who are directly or indirectly associated with the sport, requested the sports’ supreme body to revoke its decision to cancel the election of ANFA and let the elected body function smoothly.

The group — which includes former national team captain Upendra Man Singh, current skipper Hari Khadka, Under-17 skipper Bikash Singh Chhetry and U-14 captain Nirajan Malla along with representatives from clubs, referees, and coaches — had organised a joint press meet on Thursday at the Dasharath Stadium to pressurise the NSC.

After receiving the memorandum, member secretary Shrestha said that the sports governing body was aware of its decision. “This is not a political decision and I assure you that the ANFA activities will not be affected by the move,” he said.

The NSC had last week cancelled elections of 15 national sports bodies alleging them of holding the election during the Royal regime. — HNS