A stoppage-time goal from Daya Nanda Singh helped the defending champions Manang Marshyangdi Club gain three precious points against departmental side Tribhuvan Army Club in the first match of the Martyrs' Memorial 'A' Division League played on Monday.

Both sides had their fair share of opportunities, but Army, who were reduced to 10 men in the final minute of the additional time, dominated the proceedings for much of the match. Suman Aryal, defender for the Army, was sent off for deliberate use of hand in putting the ball into Manang’s net.

In what was a balanced first half, Army forward George Prince Karki fired in a cross into the area, but none of his teammates could reach on time to put the departmental side ahead in the 15th minute. Four minutes later, Manang's Bimal Rana was fouled outside the area. However, the resulting freekick taken by former Nepal forward Jagajeet Shrestha couldn't get past the Army defense.

Manang custodian Deep Karki denied Aryal's header in the 23rd minute. The defending champions' backline had to stay busy as Army dominated possession for the next 11 minutes. Karki was in regular business, though, and he saved a shot from Army forward and Nepal international Bharat Khawas.

The tides however changed from Army’s constant forward runs to Manang’s counter approaches with nine minutes remaining for the regulation first half. Their Mozambique midfielder Vidal Luis' attempt from the left side of the field marginally missed the target while Singh struck right at the Army custodian Bikesh Kuthu after collecting Rana's pass, both in the 36th-minute mark.

Three minutes later, MMC's Suraj BK couldn't direct his header on target in the corner served into the area by Luis.

Army midfielder Sesehang Aangdambe's effort in the 42nd minute was cleared by Manang defender Ek Raj Budhathoki. However, Budhathoki miscued his attempt, resulting in a corner for Army. But the departmental side failed to produce anything substantial from it.

After the first half ended without goals, Army emerged as the better side in the second half. Nawayug Shrestha missed three goalscoring opportunities and the departmental side had to pay the price for not being clinical.

Lapse of communication with the backline and Kuthu’s failed attempt to clear the ball in the additional time was pounced on by Singh who chipped the ball to put it inside the net. The goal sent the jubilant Manang players to the corner for a celebratory photograph.

Immediately after Army conceded the goal, Aryal was sent off at the other end of the ground. The departmental side’s defender had put the ball into Manang net with the intentional use of his hand.

Army coach Nabin Neupane was clearly disappointed with his side’s failure to capitalize on their chances. “When you play against tough opponents, the opportunities are very limited,” he said. “Manang had one such instance where they made no mistake. We should have comfortably taken care of the situation.”

“We played the match well, created chances, but we just have to be more clinical,” Neupane said.

Manang coach Fuja Tope was elated with his side’s unsuspecting win in the thrilling match. “The match went as we expected it to,” he said. “Army are a very strong side. From a situation where it appeared like we had to settle for a point, we won the match.”

Tope said that the boys, however, are yet to display the kind of football he wants them to play. “I joined the team quite late,” said Tope. “With the kind of effort we have been putting in our training sessions, I am sure that the fans will get to witness the vintage Manang style of free-flowing football soon.”

With Monday’s win, Manang now have six points from two matches and are placed at the top of the league standings. Prior to this, defending champions Manang had won 2-0 against the Nepal Armed Police Force while Army had secured a 2-1 win over Friends Club. In the second match on Monday, Three Star Club brushed aside Nepal Police 1-0. The league takes a break on Tuesday.