Eight-time champions Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) and Tribhuvan Army FC climbed to top two positions after identical victories over Friends Club and Chyasal Youth Club, respectively, in the fourth-round matches of the Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar on Friday.

Nigerian forward Olawale Afeez and Nepali international defender Dinesh Rajbanshi struck in either side of the half time as MMC climbed two points clear atop the standings with 10 points from four matches. Satdobato Youth Club and Machhindra Club, with a match advantage over MMC, could join the leaders if they win their upcoming fixtures. Friends are third from bottom with two points in the 14-team contest.

In the late fixture, Army forward George Prince Karki and winger Jagjeet Shrestha scored in the first half, the duos' first league goals, as the departmental team maintained their unbeaten run and climbed second with eight points. They have won and drawn two matches each. Chyasal are joint seventh with four points.

MMC came up with an offensive approach in the first match in charge of their Nigerian tactician Fuja Tope, who is in the role of assistant coach, to pile consistent pressure on Friends.

Tope, who arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday, said that he was delighted to open the campaign with victory. "It is my first match and it is good for me to start with victory. We really played well," he said.

MMC's Indian midfielder Dayananda Singh shot wide in the very first minute. Forward Adelaja Somide's volley midway through the first half missed the target by inches. Afeez also failed to score later as Friends Indian goalie Rahul Ramchandra Yadav reacted quickly to punch the forward’s close range strike at the near post to safety.

But the Nigerian broke the deadlock in the 41st with his second league goal as he was allowed for a free header after defender Dinesh Rajbanshi's long pass found captain Anjan Bista, who made the pin point cross for an easy scoring opportunity.

Midway in the second half, Friends' custodian Yadav made a diving save to deny a quick pouncing by Afeez. MMC's pressure was rewarded in the 73rd as defender Rajbanshi made a powerful header to convert Pujan Uperkoti's freekick for his second goal of the league campaign. Friends' forward Nathaniel Garcia's late goal was ruled as offside.

Friends coach Mrigendra Mishra said that they faced tough time in the absence of their three crucial players — captain Prakash Budhathoki, Preezan Tamang and Jamal Francois due to injuries. "We conceded both goals due to our own errors. Both the scorers were left unmarked," said Mishra.

In the other game of the day, the departmental team resorted with offensive approach and put Chyasal, who missed defender Ketcha Yannick due to double yellow, on the backfoot. They were made to defend at their own half almost for the whole match. Army drew first blood in the 19th as forward Karki made a free header to turn in Tanka Basnet's cross from the right flank. The runners up of the last edition hit with a sucker punch to double the advantage as winger Jagjeet made a one-touch strike near from the penalty spot nine minutes before the break to convert Gautam Shrestha’s cross.

Army coach Nabin Neupane said that Jagjeet was slowly adjusting with the team. "The strikers were on target today and it was a crucial aspect for us. We also kept the opponents under pressure but we still need to improve a lot. The midfield has not been able to score the way they should have done," said Neupane.

Before going into the break, Army skipper Bharat Khawas' header in Sesehang Angdambe's pass was denied by goalie Arpan Karki. Army could have widened the margin four minutes into the second half before forward Karki's header rattled the goalpost.

Chyasal coach Bal Gopal Sahukhala said that his side could not perform to expectations. "Army played well. We could not perform in the first half and tried to make changes in the second half. But failed to score. We also felt the absence of Yannick," said Sahukhala.

Today's Fixtures

Satdobato Youth Club vs NRT

Time: 13:00 NST

Himalayan Sherpa Club Vs Machhindra Club

Time: 16:45 NST

Venue: Dasharath Stadium