Three second-half goals against Chyasal Youth Club helped Tribhuvan Army Club extend their lead atop the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League standings to three points on Monday.

Despite creating a few chances in the first half neither side could make the best of their opportunities as the first half ended in a goalless stalemate. The departmental side then were the better team in the second half as their unmarked forward Bharat Khawas calmly collected the pass from Sesehang Angdembe inside the area before firing his shot on target in the 58th minute. His shot first hit the bar before landing at the back of the net.

Chyasal then made some efforts with forward passes but it was Army who could have doubled their lead through Nawayug Shrestha in the 68th minute. However, Shrestha could not convert his opportunity from six yards as he was not given any space to shoot by Chyasal custodian Alan Neupane. But, five minutes later, it was Shrestha who slammed home on a rebound after Neupane had punched away a shot from Angdambe in the quick counter initiated by Khawas.

Shrestha was in a one on one situation in the 80th minute with only Neupane to beat but Chyasal defender Abhisek Limbu reached to clear the ball before the Army forward could have made an effort. Three minutes later, Army were gifted a penalty after Shrestha was fouled by Tshiring Gurung inside the area. The departmental team’s midfielder Santosh Tamang made no mistake from the spot to extend their lead to three goals as his shot brushed Neupane’s fingertips before entering the post.

Army could have matched the highest margin win of the season currently held by NRT who had scored four past Saraswoti Youth Club, but Shrestha hit the pole before the ball went out of play in yet another penalty in the stoppage time. Chyasal’s Gurung had brought down Army’s Henjan in a similar spot.

Chyasal coach Bal Gopal Sahukhala was concerned about the drop in his team’s performance, “I am very disappointed, several problems are beginning to surface in our team.”

“We are depending on a few players while others are not shouldering the responsibility. The lack of commitment is becoming evident,” said Sahukhala. “Boys are not playing to the plan. They are out of position at times, which does not follow our system. This is very concerning.”

“We must acknowledge the fact that Army played well and made their opportunities count in the second half,” Sahukhala said. In sharp contrast, Nabin Neupane, the Army coach, was satisfied with his team’s win. “It was very important for us to earn the three points to extend our lead at the top of the table,” he said. “The first half was difficult as most of our crosses from the wings were not finding our forwards. The players felt a bit too cold today, which made it slightly difficult early on,”

“We must continue with this lead as we have tough matches ahead of us,” Neupane added. “It is certainly difficult to reach the top of the table but harder to sustain the position.” The departmental team dedicated their win to Sashi Kiran Rayamajhi, Army’s sports in-charge who had a birthday on Monday.

With the defeat, Chyasal now find themselves 12th in the standings with six points from seven matches while Army remain at the apex with 16 points. Meanwhile, the first match of the day between Brigade Boys and Sankata had ended in a goalless stalemate. Nepal Police Club play Machhindra in the 3pm clash at the Dashrath Stadium on Wednesday.