The departmental team thrash Brigade Boys 3-0 to set up a thrilling title decider against Machhindra. Tribhuvan Army's Bharat Khawas (left) in action with Brigade Boys' Sulav Maskey during their Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League match at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato, Lalitpur, on Tuesday. Post Photo
Bharat Khawas marked his 50th goal in the Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League as Tribhuvan Army Club thrashed Brigade Boys 3-0 at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato to go top of the table. That leaves their clash against second-placed Machhindra on Saturday as the title decider. The Army lead the standings with 29 points, one above Machhindra.
The Army dominated the match right from the onset. Captain Khawas put them ahead in the 5th minute through a wonderful header on a cross from George Prince Karki. It was his 50th goal in the domestic top-flight. They had several chances to double their lead but failed to convert as the first half ended in a 1-0 lead for the departmental team.
Following a few missed opportunities early in the second half, the Army finally found their second goal through Bikash Tamang in the 54th minute. The defender headed in to score from the assist provided by Santosh Tamang. The departmental team then completed the rout 20 minutes from regulation 90 minutes through Tek Bahadur Budathoki who thumped in a wonderful effort into the bottom left corner in a rebound ball punched away by Brigade custodian Bishal Sunar. The Army dominated possession with 12 shots on target.
The defeat has left Brigade Boys 12th in the standings with eight points. BBC coach Sanoj Shrestha, however, put on a brave face. "It was not the kind of result we wanted, but boys played well against the title contenders," he said.
Army coach Nabin Neupane said the match went the way he had imagined. "We did not play the complete set against Brigade. However, it was exactly the kind of result we were expecting," Neupane said, adding,. "We will field our strongest playing XI against Machhindra to win the league, we are just one step away."
Khawas, who had first played in the 'A' Division League from Sankata in the season of 2006-07, said that it was very difficult to score in the top division. "It has been a struggle to achieve this feat. I want to score 100 goals like Santosh Sahukhala, I will try to get there," the Nepal forward said.
In the other matches of the day, Dipesh Ghale helped four-time champions Three Star Club edge New Road Team 1-0 while two first-half goals from Bimal Rana and Anjan Bista saw the defending champions Manang Marshyangdi secure a 2-0 win over ten-man Nepal Police.
17.12°C Kathmandu
