Three Star outplay BUC; JYC hold MMC

KATHMANDU: Santosh Sahukhala scored a brace as Nabil Three Star Club finished third in the first leg of the Martyrs Memorial San Miguel A Division League with a 4-0 drubbing of relegation threatened Boys Union Club while Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) held Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) to a 1-1 draw at the Dasharath Stadium today.

MMC climbed one spot up to fourth with 18 points from 11 matches on better goal difference to NIB Friends Club, who have played one game less. JYC, with one point from their final first-leg match, accumulated 11 points and remained ninth while BUC are rock bottom with five points.

Sahukhala scored the double and Vijay Gurung added the other after Three Star took a 22nd minute lead, courtesy an own goal from Bishnu Sunuwar. Bishnu kicked the ball into his own nets while trying to stop Sahukhala in the goalline after BUC second choice goalie Dasharath Adhikari misjudged the ball, letting the ball bounce above and beyond his reach.

Dasharath made another blunder failing to grip a corner from Vijay, allowing Sahukhala to head home from close range in the 29th minute. Dasharath was replaced by Deepak Magar in the second half and his mistake in the 56th minute helped Three Star score their third goal. Deepak couldn’t get hold of a powerful Sahukhala shot which reached the unmarked Vijay for the midfielder to give a goal line finish.

Sahukhala assured Three Star of a huge win superbly heading home his 11th goal of the league on an Anil Ojha corner in the 89th minute. BUC, playing without five of their regulars, created few chances but couldn’t capitalise on them. Rupesh Chhetri couldn’t meet a sublime cross from Kamal Shrestha in the 11th minute in an open situation inside the area while Tanka Basnet missed twice as his corner in the 56th minute rebounded off the bar and Three Star goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong brilliantly punched his powerful free kick.

Three Star coach Bal Gopal Maharjan said his side was unfortunate to lose vital points during the first leg despite playing well. “We played well against the tough sides but couldn’t come with clean results. Since we have a balanced side especially after the arrival of Tanzania’s Castory D Mumbara, we could be the title contenders in the second leg,” said Maharjan.

In the other match, skipper Tashi Tshering missed a spot kick as MMC were forced to share points with JYC. Korean Oh Such Hwan displayed a brilliant dribbling skills before scoring in the 15th minute after dodging five JYC players inside the area. MMC were awarded the spot kick in the 61st minute when Sunil Raut was adjudged to have brought down Hwan but Tashi hit the bar.

MMC coach Chhiring Lopsang Gurung said the miss cost them dear. “JYC could have been demoralised with that goal had Tashi converted the spot kick,” said Gurung. Raj Kumar Ghising then came with a stunner in the 83rd minute converting a sensational freekick. The skipper had earlier missed a chance in one-on-one encounter with MMC goalie Bishal Shrestha in the 65th minute.