Kathmandu, December 16

Tribhuvan Army Club and Chyasal Youth Club recorded victories in the first round matches of the Qatar Airways Martyrs Memorial A Division League here today.

TAC defeated Friends Club 2-1 at the ANFA Complex grounds. Nawayug Shrestha and Dinesh Henjan scored a goal each for the departmental side, while Shakti Rai netted one for Friends.

TAC took an early lead when national team striker Shrestha scored into the empty net in the fourth minute at a time when Friends goalkeeper Dev Limbu had come out of his position. Rai levelled the scores in the 51st minute after he met the back pass from TAC defender Sesehang Angdembe.

Henjan restored TAC lead in 81st minute when the unmarked midfielder headed home following a corner kick from skipper Bharat Khawas and the goal was enough for the departmental side to earn full three points. Henjan was named the man of the match and he got Rs 10,000.

TAC also wasted a couple of chances in the second half.

Khawas ended up with a wayward shot in the 60th minute, while Nawayug failed to meet Suman Aryal’s cross inside the box three minutes later. After Shrestha and Aryal wasted one each chances, George Prince Karki headed wide in 72nd minute.

At the Dasharath Stadium, skipper Santosh Sahukhala scored a brace to lead Chyasal Youth Club to a 2-0 victory over 10-man Sankata Club.

The former national team striker Sahukhala netted one each in either half to seal the victory and he also earned the man-of-the-match award along with Rs 10,000.

Sahukhala opened the scoring in the 42nd minute and added another in the 86th minute following a pass from Amir Shrestha. Sankata were reduced to 10 men in the 81st minute after Laxman Ruchal got marching orders for two yellow cards in the space of one minute.

A total of 14 clubs — defending champions Manang Marshyangdi Club, Three Star Club, Jawalakhel Youth Club, Chyasal Youth Club, Friends Club, Brigade Boys Club, Tribhuvan Army Club, Nepal Police Club, Nepal APF Club, Saraswoti Youth Club, Himalayan Sherpa Club, Sankata Club, Machhindra Football Club and New Road Team — are taking part in the league. The bottom team after the round robin tournament will be relegated.

Top three teams after the round robin league will receive five million rupees, Rs 3.5 million and Rs 2.5 million.

Likewise, fourth to sixth placed clubs will get Rs 1.5 million, Rs 700,000 and Rs 500,000 respectively. One club will receive Rs 100,000 along with Fair Play award.

The participating clubs will get two million rupees each as preparation money, while the winning team will receive Rs 50,000 as match money.

Similarly, the best five individuals — striker, midfielder, defender, goalkeeper and coach — will be awarded with Rs 150,000 each, while man-of-the-match in each game will earn Rs 10,000.