Boys Union shock Army; Friends hold Police

Kathmandu, January 25:

The unpredictable upsets continued as title contenders Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) was defeated 1-2 by Boys Union Club (BUC) and Mahendra Police Club (MPC) was held to a goalless draw by Friends Club in the Martyrs’ Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League Football on Wednesday.

The results helped Nabil Three Star Club, who has been lately struggling to find rhythm, to take advantage after it showered bottom-placed Bodhha Football Club (BFC) 6-0 in another match of the day.

Hari Thakuri architected BUC’s win over TAC in a match held at Armed Police Stadium. Suman Shrestha put BUC ahead when he capitalised on TAC defender Madhav KC’s error inside the box in the 25th minute.

The Armymen equalised four minutes later after Ram Kumar Biswas headed home on Santosh Nepali’s corner kick. Hari Thakuri scored the match winner in the 40th minute on a rebound. It was Thakuri’s first goal since joining the club from NRT in mid season.

Jubiliant BUC coach Rajendra KC did not hesitate to accept that he had expected a draw at best against a strong team like TAC. TAC coach Kishor KC rued the numerous golden chances his strikers muffed up during the match.

At Dasharath Stadium, both the MPC and Friends Club created a couple of goal scoring chances but failed to utilise them. MPC’s Jumanu Rai was unlucky in the 37th minute as his free kick hit the cross bar and bounced out from the goalline.

In the 61st minute veteran Dev Narayan Chaudhary’s header hit the post in the 76th minute. Friends’ also had two brilliant opportunities in the second half. The 24th-minute substitute Bizaj Mahat ruined a chance in an one-on-one situation with MPC goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa in the 67th minute, while Sishir Adhikari missed a certain goal three minutes later.

MPC would have snatched the victory had not Friends’ defender Nur Raj Kafle cleared Dipak Poudel’s attempt from the goalline in the second half injury time.

In the Three Star dominated second game, Pradip Maharjan opened the scoring spree in the 37th minute heading home on Surendra Tamang’s corner. Vishan Gauchan doubeld the lead in the 42nd before another winger Vijay Gurung headed home following a corner from Surendra in the first half injury time.

In the 48th minute, Surundra chipped in from 20 yards when BFC goalie Dasharath Adhikai had come forward before adding another in the 73rd minute beating two defenders on a long pass from Anjan KC.

Pralay Rajbhandari completed the rout in the 78th minute after Surendra’s header miscued to Rajbhandari on Santosh KC’s corner.