Lalitpur, October 17

Ruslan Three Star Club lifted the Red Bull National League following a 2-0 victory over archrivals Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshangdi Club in the last match here at the ANFA Complex grounds today.

Afeez Olawale and substitute Bijay Dhimal scored in the second half to give Three Star their maiden National League title and fourth overall. Three Star accumulated 35 points from 16 matches, while the defeat meant MMC (31) finished third, behind second-placed Tribhuvan Army Club (33). The match was worth Rs 7.5 million as the winners pocketed Rs 10 million, while MMC bagged Rs 2.5m and TAC earned Rs 5 million.

Three Star had psychological edge over MMC as a draw was enough for the Patan-based team, while Manang were in a must-win situation. After a eventful first half that failed to produce any goal, Olawale provided the lead to Three Star in the 47th minute when he headed home following an acute cross from Jagjeet Shrestha. Dhimal, who replaced Olawale in the 79th minute, scored from the six-yard box in the first minute of the injury time when he tapped in from close after receiving a pass from Bijay Gurung in counter attack.

MMC came close to scoring in the 42nd minute but Three Star keeper Kiran Chemjong made a brilliant save to deny Ravi Paswan’s shot. MMC created a chance to level the scores in the 71st when Moussa attempted a shot off Anil Gurung’s cross but Three Star defender Peter Segun cleared the ball from the line.

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At the other half, Three Star came close twice but Nirajan Khadka shot wide in one-on-one situation with MMC goalkeeper Dipesh Yadav in the 87th, while Bijay Gurung and Afeez Olawale played exchanged short passes inside the penalty area to allow MMC defenders intercept in the 75th.

Three players were expelled in the injury time as FIFA Referee Laba Khatri flashed red cards on MMC’s Moussa for second bookable offence, while Sushil KC of MMC and TSC’s Bijay Dhimal were given marching orders after they were engaged in a scuffle moments before final whistle.

Three Star coach Rajendra Tamang was more than happy. “We worked hard in the match as we did not have two defenders in Sagar Thapa and Sandip Rai,” he said. Skipper Thapa and his deputy Rai are in custody in charges of match-fixing. “We would like to dedicate this title to our late president Lalit Krishna Shrestha.” Shrestha, who was also the acting President of ANFA, passed away in June due to electrocution. MMC coach Raju Kaji Shakya said that the team failed to play as per the planning. “It is hard to believe that we finished third in the league,” he said.

Three Star’s Kiran Chemjong ( goalkeeper) and Rajendra Tamang (coach), Jhapa’s Devendra Tamang (defender), MMC’s Bishal Rai (midfielder), and TAC’s Nawayug Shrestha (forward) the highest scorer of the league with 14 goals were declared the best individual players of the league. They received Yamaha motorcycle each. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and ANFA President Ganesh Thapa among others handed over the prizes to the winners of the nine-team league.