Tribhuvan Army Club secured a 2-1 win against Friends Club in their Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League match played at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Monday.

Dinesh Henjan sealed the win for the Army after Friends Club’s Shakti Rai had cancelled out Nawayug Shrestha's opener for the departmental side.

Shrestha put Tribhuvan Army Club ahead in the third minute, rounding the stranded Friends Club custodian Dev Limbu. The Army continued to create chances but failed to convert them. George Prince Karki went close to doubling their lead but his attempt from outside the area was off target in the 17th minute. Eight minutes later, Tanka Bahadur Basnet wasted another opportunity for the Army.

Friends Club had a close look at the goal in the 31st minute off an impressive play, but Shakti Rai failed to utilise a pass from Prezen Tamang from inside the area.

Army wingers continued to work hard, centering a number of crosses into the Friends’ 18-yard territory. But Nawayug Shrestha and Bharat Khawas were found wanting and the match entered the halftime break with the departmental side leading 1-0.

Friends’ Club returned with much verve after halftime, and Rai equalised in the 51st minute after working his way past an Army defender and custodian Bikesh Kuthu.

The Army regained their composure and started dictating terms in the middle. In the 72nd minute, Karki had a great chance to restore Army's lead but wasted it as his header from inside the area went narrowly wide. A minute later, Karki tapped in a pass from Dinesh Henjan but the latter was adjudged offside.

But the Army’s persistent pressure paid off as Henjan himself scored off a Bharat Khawas corner in the 81st minute.

Army coach Nabin Neupane was happy with three points. “It's a better start than the previous season where we had ended in a draw. We missed the services of Santosh Tamang who was suspended for the match. I had to put in Bharat who usually plays as a striker in his place. But we have no other option," he said.

"Our next match against Manang Marsyangdi Club will be a tough one. But we are ready for the challenge," added Neupane.

Friends Club’s coach Marcus Filipe rued the absence of their foreign players. “That made the difference as our boys are young. We struggled to match the opponents’ physical attributes,” he said after the match.

The Brazilian tactician hopes of a better result when they take on Brigade Boys Club in their next match. “We will try to display a mixture of Brazilian and Nepali football," he said, adding that they were working hard to improve on the last season’s 11th position.

In the day’s other match held at the Dashrath Stadium, Chyasal Youth Club stunned last season’s runners-up Sankata Club 2-0. Former Nepali international and skipper Santosh Sahukhala scored for Chyasal on either side of halftime.

Sahukhala put Chyasal 1-0 three minutes before the break and added another five minutes from time to secure all three points against Sankata.

Sankata played the last 10 minutes with 10 men after Laxman Ruchal collected his second yellow in the 81st minute for a foul on Nitin Thapa.

On Tuesday, Saraswati Youth Club take on New Road Team at the ANFA Complex, while Nepal Police Club lock horns with Himalayan Sherpa Club at the Dashrath Stadium.