Defenders scored all three goals from set pieces as three-time champions Three Star Club made a flying start defeating Chyasal Youth Club 3-0 in their opening match of the Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division Football League at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar on Saturday.

Defenders Nishan Khadka, Raphael Bidias Rim and Ananta Tamang struck for Three Star who became the first team in the league to get a winning outcome after the third match.

Chyasal, studded mostly with youth and inexperienced players, came up with a spirited show against their town rivals in the early moments. But the forwards and the midfield failed to coordinate properly in the high-paced game.

Khadka put Three Star ahead against their neighbors with a stunning freekick from 30 yards, silencing the noisy Chyasal supporters.

Chyasal got the scoring opportunity 10 minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after their Nepali origin Italian forward Bikash Meraglia was brought down by defender Ananta Tamang inside the area. The much-hyped Italian, who has also played for the age group team of Serie A side Atalanta, was denied from the spot by Three Star's Cameroonian goalie Yvis Priso.

Three Star's Cameroonian center back Raphael Bidias Rim doubled the advantage before going into the break. He flick headed Hemant Thapa Magar's freekick from the crowded zone.

In the 58th, Nepali international defender Tamang made it 3-0 as he applied a perfect header to convert Thapa Magar's corner. Three Star's yet another scoring chance was denied by Chyasal goalie Bhandari as he made two successive saves to deny Ritik Khadka and Laken Limbu's strikes from the crowded zone.

Three Star coach Urjan Shrestha was elated with victory in the first match. "We faced tough time in the early moments as they exerted pressure on us. But once they missed a penalty and wasted an equalising chance, it boosted the morale of our team. Obviously winning the first match lifts the confidence level of the team," said Shrestha.

His counterpart Bal Gopal Sahukhala expressed dissatisfaction over the referee's decision. "We had expected a tough game in the first match and so it was," said Sahukhala. "But there were a lot of flaws on the referee's part. A good referee can lift the standard of the game, but that is not the case here. The referee should have carded opponent players when Meraglia was fouled time and again."

Himalayan Sherpa, Sankata share spoils

In the day's kick off match, Himalayan Sherpa Club and Sankata Club shared points after a 1-1 stalemate.

The match saw the debuts of both sides' coaches in 'A' Division League — Himalayan Sherpa's Yugal Kishor Rai and Sankata's Bishnu Gurung.

Sankata dominated the possession and came up with a better show with swift exchange of passes in the first half. However, none of the teams managed to come up with remarkable attempts at goal in the first half.

Sankata took the lead in the second half through Laxman Ruchal but Tridev Gurung shortly restored the parity. Ruchal fired at the open net during an hour mark after Himalayan Sherpa goalie Deep Karki spilled Suvash Gurung's right flank cross.

Himalayan Sherpa equalised four minute later through Gurung who headed Jiwan Gurung's right flank cross. But the scorer was stretchered off as he picked up an injury while heading.

Moments later Sankata's forward Fode Fofana's curling right flank strike sailed inches above the near post. In the 83rd, Sankata came closer to restoring their advantage when Laxman Ruchal headed wide from close range collecting a goal parried by Himalayana Sherpa goalie Karki to prevent Ganesh Hamala strike.

A minute before the final whistle, Purna Bahadur Gurung's scorcher side netted from the right flank of the area.

Sankata coach Bishnu Gurung said that he was satisfied with the team's performance. "It is my first game in the first division and I started a high pressing game. And the boys executed the game plan and I am happy with that."

His Himalayan Sherpa counterpart Yugal Kishor Rai lamented that they conceded due to errors. "Overall the game was good and Sankata played a disciplined game. We were also disciplined tactically. I am satisfied with the performance."