Football
Champions Satdobato sign off B-Division League with victory
Satdobato had already secured a promotion to 'A' Division League on Saturday with two matches remaining before Madhyapur Youth Association put a surprise break to their unbeaten streak in the league.Sports Bureau
Champions Satdobato Youth Club said adieu to B-Division League with a 1-0 win over Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) as the country’s second tier league concluded on Thursday.
Satdobato had already secured a promotion to 'A' Division League on Saturday with two matches remaining before Madhyapur Youth Association put a surprise break to their unbeaten streak in the league. But Maldina Angthupo scored the decider after the break to give the champions a happy ending on the final day at the ANFA Complex.
The champions, who amassed 28 points from 11 matches with nine wins, a draw and a defeat, received a cash prize of Rs1.5 million. Satdobato's midfielder Dinesh Rai was adjudged the best midfielder and coach Sanoj Shrestha was declared the best coach of the tournament.
Khumaltar fell three points short and finished behind Satdobato after eight wins, two draws and a loss. Khumaltar had surrendered the title to Satdobato after succumbing to a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of strugglers Shree Bhagwati a week ago. The second-placed Khumaltar bagged Rs1 million. Their goalkeeper Anjal Shrestha and forward Sabin KC were named the best goalkeeper and the best forward respectively.
Around the Himalaya Bansbari Club took home Rs800,000 while fourth-placed Diving Boys Union pocketed Rs500,000. Boys Union also won the Fair Play Award. Bansbari's Shiva Gurung was pronounced the best defender.
RCT, who managed only three wins, ended at ninth in the table.
Earlier on Thursday, Madhyapur Youth Association came from a goal down to beat strugglers Jhamsikhel Youth Club and climb up to fifth.
Manish Khadka put Jhamsikhel in front in the sixth minute, pouncing on a weak clearance by Madhyapur defender Ranjit Chaudhary Tharu before smashing into the right-bottom corner.
But Madhyapur midfielder Ronish Dheke Rajbhak cancelled the lead in the 37th after a howler from Jhamsikhel goalkeeper Sagar Susling. Rajbhak sent a long ball into the Jhamsikhel box looking for action but Madhyapur forwards chose not to torture the goalie realising they were in offside position. It looked like a routine save for Susling except he let the ball slip underneath his foot while trying to block it.
Dhiraj Shrestha gave Madhyapur the winner in the injury time of the second half converting a pass from Kiran Thada.
The seventh league loss left Jhamsikhel second from bottom, only a point above Pulchowk Sports Club who were relegated to the 'C' Division on Wednesday following a 2-1 loss to Nayabasti Yuva Club.
The league had resumed on February 23 after a hiatus of almost a year. The country's football governing body, All Nepal Football Association had decided to suspend the league midway on March 18 last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.