NPC edge past departmental rivals APF; Army, Three Star share spoils
KATHMANDU, MAY 16
Newcomers Church Boys United defeated Royal Blue Satdobato Youth Club 1-0 and moved to the top of the Martyrs Memorial A Division League here at the Dasharath Stadium today.
Suvash Gurung scored the solitary goal of the match in the second half. After a goalless first half, Gurung put United ahead in the 63rd minute in rebound after Satdobato defenders failed to the clear the ball inside the crowded penalty box.
United, who are playing the top-flight league for the first time, accumulated 33 points to reclaim the top position in the standing.
After the completion of 18 rounds, United - who have so far won nine matches and played six draws - are two points ahead of Jawalakhel Youth Club. Two-time defending champions Machhindra Football Club are third on 30.
Satdobato dropped down to fifth with 26 points.
Earlier, Tribhuvan Army Football Club salvaged a 1-1 draw with Three Star Club. After a goalless first half, Laken Limbu put Three Star ahead with a wonderful goal from midfield area in the 69th minute. Limbu controlled the ball released by TAFC custodian Bikesh Kuthu and shot toward the goal without wasting a second.
Kuthu made a desperate run towards his den but he could not reach the ball.
Dinesh Henjan levelled the scores for the departmental team in the 85th minute when he headed home a cross from Sudil Rai.
With their eighth draw in 18 matches, Three Star moved up to fourth with 26 points, ahead of Satdobato on better head-tohead results. Tribhuvan Army FC are sixth on 25 points.
At the ANFA Complex grounds, Nepal Police Club defeated departmental rivals Nepal APF Football Club 1-0 for their second straight victory. Moses Gyabaah Twum scored the solitary goal of the match to help NPC move out of the relegation zone.
After a goalless first half, foreign-recruit Twum found the back of the nets in the 61st minute.
With their sixth win in 18 matches, NPC moved up to 10th position with 22 points and they are tied with four other teams - Himalayan Sherpa Club (seven), Manang Marshyangdi Club (eight), New Road Team (nine) and APF (11) - in the 14-team table.
At the end of 18 rounds, the five teams are five points ahead of bottom side FC Khumaltar, while Friends Club are at the 13th position with 20 points.
A version of this article appears in the print on May 17, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
