Kathmandu, September 6:

Defending champions Nabil Three Star Club came from a goal deficit to beat Machhindra Club 3-1, while Mahendra Police Club eased past Mahabir Club 6-1 at the martyrs’ Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League Football Tournament today. Machhindra dominated the field and took lead in the 38th minute through skipper Santosh Shrestha, when he fired the ball home following a corner kick from substitute Milan Adhikari. Adhikari had replaced Bijaya Shahi in the 37th minute. Vijay Gurung levelled the scores through a header on Santosh Gurung’s pass in the 43rd minute, while Pradeep Maharjan put Three Star ahead in the first-half injury time, also through a header on Santosh Gurung’s pass. In the 49th minute, Anil Gurung made it 3-1 when he fired the ball into the net on Vijay Gurung’s pass inside the penalty area. Anil had replaced Santosh Sahukhala in the 40th minute.

Earlier, Ramesh Budhathoki scored two and set up other three goals in MPC’s thumping win over Mahabir Club. Budhathoki put the MPC ahead in the fifth minute on his solo effort when the striker took the ball alone and fired the ball past Mahabir goalkeeper Saroj Shrestha from 18 yards. Kishor Subba doubled the tally four minutes later with a Budhathoki’s carbon-copy shot from 15 yards, while MPC skipper Hari Khadka opened his account of the league in the 31st minute following Budhathoki’s pass. Hari scored his second and team’s fourth goal in the 51st minute through a header on Ganesh Budhathoki’s pass. Ramesh Budhathoki made it 5-0 in the 74th minute when he beat the Mahabir’s offside trap and the goalkeeper before firing the ball home. The goal was Budhathoki’s 39th in leagues. Arjun Rijal, who replaced Jumanu Rai in the 64th minute scored in the 82nd minute on Budhathoki’s pass. Amar Pun scored the consolation goal for Mahabir Club in the injury time on Manoj Shahi’s pass.

FIFA, AFC wish ANFA body

KATHMANDU: The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) and Asian Football Federation (AFC) congratulated the newly-elected All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) central committee. Both the international bodies sent letters to ANFA president Ganesh Thapa, who was re-elected unanimously along with 16 other officials, from the ANFA Congress held on September 1. — HNS