Football
Himalayan Sherpa secure first win of the season, stun contenders Machhindra 2-0
Two first-half goals help the unsuspecting Sherpa crush giants Machhindra who drop a place to second in the Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League.Prarambha Dahal
Two first-half goals, an own goal in the first minute and a header from a set-piece situation, stunned contenders Machhindra Club in their match against Himalayan Sherpa Club at the ongoing Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League held at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Friday.
In their first defeat of the season, Machhindra, who went to the match as league leaders fell behind in the very first minute with an own goal from Nigerian defender Peter Segun. It was the fastest goal of the league this season.
Machhindra’s goal deficit doubled 19 minutes later when Bijay Shrestha headed in a free-kick shot from near the centre line by Niraj Basnet.
While Machhindra dominated possession throughout the play, they could not convert most of their goal opportunities.
Machhindra have now dropped a place to become second in the table with 13 points from seven matches. With equal points and a game in hand, Tribhuvan Army Club find themselves at the top of the table on goal difference.
Machhindra coach Prabesh Katuwal was not pleased with his side’s performance. “The boys were complacent today. They took the opponents too easily. Conceding early goals is always a difficult situation,” he said. “We had chances in the second half, but we failed to convert them. Suspension of the players [due to the clash after the match against Manang Marshyangdi Club] came back to haunt us today. This defeat only inspires us to do better in our upcoming matches.”
Meanwhile, Himalayan Sherpa, after securing their first win of the season, have moved to the tenth position with seven points.
“We played well today. The luck was also on our side,” the team coach Sanjib Budhathoki said after their 2-0 win over Machhindra. “Winning against the contenders has lifted our confidence. We wasted several chances in the second half.”
Budhathoki believes that his side could finish in the top-four position by the time the league is over.
The Friday’s match between Machhindra and Himalayan Sherpa was previously scheduled to be held at the Dashrath Stadium. The match venue changed to the ANFA Complex due to poor ground conditions following incessant rainfall.
Jawalakhel Youth Club play Nepal Police in the first match on Saturday followed by the clash between defending champions Manang Marshyangdi Club, the only unbeaten side at the league this season, and four-time champions Three Star Club.