Kathmandu, September 17:

Defending champions Nabil Three Star Club and Brigade Boys Club (BBC) registered wins in the Martyrs’ Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League Football Tournament at Dasharath Stadium. Three Star beat Sankata Club 2-1 in a tensed match. Both the teams played the last 57 minutes with 10 men each after FIFA referee Dilip Rajak expelled Three Star’s Pradeep Maharjan and Sankata’s Raj Kumar KC in the 33rd minute. Raj Kumar was ejected for manhandling while Pradeep got the marching orders for using abusive languages. They were cautioned two minutes earlier. Other three players — Rajesh Shahi of Three Star and Sankata’s Santosh Basnet and Salyan Khadgi were also booked. After the goalless first half, Three Star took lead through Anil Gurung in the 65th minute when he found the net following a cross from Vishan Gauchan. Santosh Sahukhala replaced Anil soon after he broke the deadlock.

Coach Mrigendra Mishra’s move to bring in Sahukhala worked as the striker doubled the tally in the 80th minute. Sankata pulled one back in the 85th minute through Nilendra Dewan. Fed by Binod Lama just outside the d-box, Dewan dodged a defender and fired home. Earlier, BBC registered their first win beating Bouddha FC 2-0, on goals from Rajendra Deula and Laxman Lama. Deula put BBC ahead in the 65th minute when he found the net on Bouddha defender Diwas Rai’s rebound on Junior Obagbemiro’s attempt. Laxman Lama, who replaced Milan Chandra Rai in the 79th minute, sealed the victory in the last minute of the four-minute injury time following Obagbemiro’s throw in. BBC assistant coach Khadka Prasad Thapa was more than happy with the win. “The match was important for both of us, and I take this win as a big achievement of the club,” said Thapa, who handled the team in absence of coach WC Thomson. Bouddha FC president and coach Arjun Lama blamed the strikers for the loss. “I don’t have strikers in my team. They got five easy opportunities, but failed to utilise any,” he said.