KATHMANDU, JANUARY 3
Himalayan Sherpa Club defeated newly-promoted Satdobato Youth Club 1-0 in the Qatar Airways Martyrs Memorial A Division League here at the Dasharath Stadium today.
Skipper Bishwas Shrestha scored the solitary goal of the match as Himalayan Sherpa recorded their third win of the league and moved to fifth position, behind Tribhuvan Army Football Club on goal difference after being tied on 11 points. Satdobato dropped to eighth with eight points.
At a time when the match was heading towards half time with both the teams failing to make the breakthrough, Himalayan Sherpa earned the penalty after Satdobato defender Peter Segun brought down Tridev Gurung inside the danger zone one minute before the break.
Himalayan Sherpa skipper Shrestha stepped in to take the spot kick and he made no mistake in burying the ball into the nets.
Satdobato had a chance to score an equaliser in the injury time of the match when they earned a spot kick after Himalayan Sherpa defender Amrit Shrestha was adjudged to have fouled Martin Adelphe Silo Nanga inside the area. Nanga took the spot kick himself but saw his strike saved by Himalayan Sherpa goalkeeper Deep Karki.
Earlier, Martins Kayode Ajayi shot over the bar on a free kick from Prashant Awasthi in the first half injury time, while Aadil Hamid had an attempt saved by Himalayan Sherpa custodian Karki in 74th minute.
Himalayan Sherpa's Mutamba Pistone Vunyou shot wide off the post following a pass from Nakamura Reo in 78th minute.
After the completion of seven rounds, Machhindra FC are at the top of the table with 17 points and they also earned berth in the AFC Cup Qualifiers.
Manang Marshyangdi Club are second on 16 points, three more than third-placed Sankata Club.
Tribhuvan Army FC and HSC are tied on 11 points, while Three Star Club and New Road Team have 10 each.
Newly-promoted Satdobato have eight, one more than Jawalakhel Youth Club, while departmental rivals Nepal APF Club and Nepal Police Club are tied on six points. Brigade Boys Club are at the 12th position on five points, ahead of Chyasal Youth Club (five). Friends Club, the lone winless side in the league, are at the bottom of the 14-team table with three teams.
After the round robin league, the bottom two teams will be relegated to second division.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 4, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
