Last season’s bottom-placed side New Road Team sprang a surprise with a 4-0 victory over Saraswoti Youth Club in the Martyrs’ Memorial ‘A’ Division League at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Tuesday.

Saroj Tamang scored a second-half brace and Cameroonian duo Junior Onguene Nikengue and Jordan Jr Ndemba Owona added a goal each to complete the rout.

Saraswoti started off more promisingly, earning a freekick in the eighth minute. But midfielder Barsat Gurung shot from just outside the area was saved by NRT custodian Ajit Prajapati.

NRT picked themselves up and created several opportunities thereafter in the opening half. Poor finishing saw them go begging, though. Prakash Budhathoki had a clear chance in the 21st minute, but the NRT skipper could not get really behind his shot which as it was easily saved by Saraswoti ’keeper Bishnu Kumar KC.

The match developed into a see-saw battle as Saraswoti raided the NRT territory. In the 23rd minute, Dipesh Shrestha shot just over the bar and another chance go astray two minutes later as Santa Bahadur Gurung’s searching cross found nobody at the far post.

NRT picked up their tempo towards the close of the first session and Nikengue put them 1-0 up in the 40th minute. Budhathoki whipped in a teasing cross from a corner and the Cameroonian striker beat the Saraswoti goalie with a diving header. They could have entered halftime with a 2-0 lead but Rajesh Pariyar’s bicycle kick from close range narrowly missed the target in the stoppage time.

NRT dominated the early exchanges in the second half, and Pariyar had acres of space just outside the box in the 50th minute but he shot wide with the goal begging. Owona then wasted two wonderful chances three minutes later.

Saraswoti had a great chance of their own to return to the game when they were awarded a freekick in the hour mark. But Manish Thapa’s shot was forced out by Prajapati with his fingertips.

In the 69th minute, Tamang doubled NRT's lead off a set-piece. Arik Bista centred a freekick and Tamang put it into the back of the net with a diving header to send the NRT camp into jubilation.

With NRT pressure mounting, Saraswoti committed a defensive error and Tamang punished them, putting it away from inside the area in the 81st minute. Just as it appeared the match would end in a 3-0 victory for NRT, Owona still had time to add another in the 90th minute to widen the margin of victory.

Saraswoti coach Pradeep Nepal lamented his side’s missed chances early on. “This is the first match. The boys were not as sharp as we would like them to be, as we have not had adequate training together. There were clear lapses in communication among the boys,” he said.

“We have identified some areas where we need to work on,” Nepal noted, adding, “Legal procedures of a couple of foreign players are underway. If cleared, they will add quality to the side.”

NRT coach Raju Kaji Shakya was elated with the win. “To begin the season with a win holds a great significance. We should have done better with the opportunities we had, but that doesn’t hurt so long as you take all three points.”

But he is not getting complacent with the win, dropping a hint at disappointment over the performance of some of his foreign players. “They have the quality to do better. Their presence adds value to the kind of football we want to display,” added the former Nepal national team captain and coach.

NRT, however, will be docked two points for finishing at the bottom of the table last season.

Meanwhile, Nepal Police Club were held to a goalless draw by Himalayan Sherpa in the other match of the day at the Dashrath Stadium.

On Wednesday, Three Star Club meet Jawalakhel Youth Club in Lalitpur derby at the ANFA Complex, followed by the clash between Armed Police Force and Manang Marshyangdi Club at the Dashrath Stadium.