MMC edge TAC; Sangam win

Jan-15th-2012
BUTWAL: A last gasp goal from skipper Nirajan Khadka gave star-studded Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) a 1-0 victory over Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) in the Red Bull National League here at the FIFA Technical Centre grounds today.

As it looked like both teams will return with the share of spoils, Nirajan’s flick header in a 35-yard long curling freekick from Sujal Shrestha kissed the back of the nets in the second minute of the three-minute added-on time.

Sujal had won the freekick after TAC defender Yuddha Shahi brought the midfielder down. The goal was also Nirajan’s first for the club after he had completed a hat-trick in their 7-0 rout of Brigade Boys Club in the ‘A’ Division League on July 13 last year.

Following the results, MMC — who are tied on 12 points with third placed Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club — jumped two places up to the second on better goal difference.

Nepal Police Club lead the table with maximum 18 points from six matches. Despite the loss, Armymen — who are tied on seven points with Ranipokhari Corner Team — stay unchanged at the seventh spot.

Earlier, both teams frequently muffed up scoring chances. MMC would have taken an early third minute lead but Santosh Sahukhala’s powerful strike from outside the box rebounded off the post. Just a minute later, Tanka Basnet of TAC ended up hitting high from the six-yard box.

TAC skipper and goalkeeper Bikash Malla brilliantly punched Bijay Gurung ’s goal-bound freekick in the 33rd minute, while in a goal-mouth scramble MMC shot stopper Bishal Shrestha blocked Hiranya Magar’s freekick before denying Tanka in its rebound from a close range.

Desperately seeking goal, MMC frustration continued when Bikash denied Bijay and Anil Gurung in the 70th and 77th minutes. Nawayug Shrestha also squandered an easy scoring chance for TAC in a one-on-one encounter with goalkeeper Bishal in the 82nd minute.

MMC coach Hari Om Shrestha said not finding the back of the net was really frustrating. “The team was under pressure after failing to score but its good to return with victory at the end,” said the coach.

Earlier in the day, Ganesh Lawati scored a brace as Sangam FC eased to a 3-1 victory over PLO Mitra Milan Club of Dharan for their first victory. Sangam replaced Mitra Milan at ninth spot with three points. Mitra Milan (one) are winless.

Ganesh, on loan from Nepal APF Club, provided a 12th minute lead to the Pokhara-based club firing home from the box in a long range pass from Niraj Shrestha. Rakesh Gurung doubled the tally beating the advancing Mitra Milan custodian Roshan Khadka in the 62nd minute.

With just three minutes left in the normal time, Mitra Milan took the consolation when Subarna Samekham converted a spot kick, awarded after Kiran Gurung brought down the forward inside the area. Ganesh, however, sealed the match netting his second for the team on a pass from Niraj in injury time.

The victory also helped Sangam avenge their 2-1 defeat that Mitra Milan inflicted during their Red Bull ‘A’ Division Regional Super League campaign two months back.

Sangam coach Bikash Gurung said they would now look forward to find a better position. “It was the victory that we had longed for. We need to make sure that we don’t lose the momentum now,” he said.

MMC protest quashed

KATHMANDU: The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) on Saturday quashed the protest Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) had filed against Kunjan Gurung of Yeti Himalayan Sherpa Club.

MMC had protested that Kunjan was registered with England’s seventh Division side Farnborough Football Club (FFC) and could not play for two teams one at a time. But, ANFA on Saturday said it had received the documents that proved Kunjan was not registered either with FFC or the English FA.

The ANFA also handed a one-match ban to Ranipokhari Corner Team officials Changesh Lal Shrestha and Uttam Lal Shrestha for entering the technical area to protest over referee decision during their match against Mega Three Star Club on Friday.

Himal