Satdobato Youth Club edged Khumaltar Youth Club 3-2 in top of the table clash of the Martyrs Memorial ‘B’ Division League football match at the ANFA Complex, Satdobato, on Friday.

The outcome meant Satdobato moved three points clear on top of the standings and strengthened their title bid. Satdobato have 19 points from seven matches after the sixth win and a draw while the first defeat left Khumaltar unchanged in second place with 16 points.

The entertaining match saw Dorje Tamang, substitute Ashish Rai and Bhuwan Basnet score a goal each for Satdobato. Khumaltar captain Sabin KC and Aadil Hamid were on target for Khumaltar.

Dorje Tamang gave an early 11th minute lead to Satdobato before Sabin KC equalised for Khumaltar in the 26th. Aadil Hamid made it 2-1 for Khumaltar, scoring three minutes into the second half. Substitute Ashis Rai, who came as a 46th minute replacement of Akash Rai, restored the parity for Satdobato in the 61st before Bhuwan Basnet netted a third goal in the 61st to ensure victory for Satdobato.

Khumaltar coach Rajesh Shahi was sent off deep into the second half for manhandling fourth official after initially shown a yellow card for using abusive language.

Satdobato’s coach Sanoj Shrestha credited the victory for the hard work of his players and the outcome would be a huge boost in their title ambition. “We still have four matches to play but the victory over the second placed team will give a huge boost for the remaining matches. It was similar to the final,” said Shrestha.

Khumaltar’s assistant coach Binod Dangol said his team came up with a good show but conceding in set pieces became the turning point. “We did not play bad but conceding goals in set pieces affected our plan,” Dangol said. “Hopefully this defeat will not affect us in the long term.”

Madhyapur pull off first win

In the late fixture of the day, bottom placed Madhyapur Youth Association registered their first win of the campaign defeating Tushal Youth Club 2-0.

Dhiraj Shrestha and Kailash Lamichhane Khatri netted one each in either half for Madhyapur.

With the win over seventh placed Tushal, Madhyapur moved one place up to 11th, replacing Pulchowk Sports Club at bottom. Madhyapur have four points from seven matches while Tushal remained unchanged at seventh place.

Dhiraj Shrestha gave a lead to Madhyapur in the 23rd minute before Khatri doubled the tally scoring at an hour mark to seal the victory.

Madhyapur coach Jeevan Sinkeman said that his side were pleased for the first win. “We are hopeful that the first win would help raise our performance in the upcoming matches,” said Sinkeman.

Tusal coach Naresh Shrestha rued the missed chances and his side lacked proper understanding. “We failed to utilise chances but the opponents capitalised on scoring chances,” said Shrestha.