Newboys Satdobato Youth Club stunned Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) 2-1 while relegation-threatened APF FC eased pressure on them with a 1-0 victory over Himalayan Sherpa Club in the Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar on Friday.
Foreign recruits scored all three goals of the match with Martin Adelp Silo Nanga putting Satdobato ahead before Ajayi Martins doubled their lead as they shocked the title favourites in their very first encounter of the league. Olawale Afeez hit back for MMC in the second half taking his goal tally to six, the highest in the league.
The second defeat leaves MMC one point behind leaders Machhindra Club, who have a match advantage over them. MMC have 19 points from nine matches and Machhidnra could open a four-point lead atop the standings if they beat Brigade Boys Club in their next fixture on Sunday. Satdobato climbed two spots up to sixth place with 12 points after their third victory.
In the day's early kickoff, forward Awash Lamichhane made a stunning header to score the all important goal for APF. Their second victory of the league lifted APF to ninth position with 10 points and are now five points clear of the relegation zone. Sherpa dropped one spot to seventh with 11 points.
Cameroonian midfielder Nanga put Satdobato ahead in the 11th minute with a header from a crowded zone when he found a pass from Sudip Gurung.
Nigerian forward Ajayi Martins doubled the lead in the 38th with his fifth goal when he was allowed a free header to convert a cross from Prakash Awasthi.
MMC's forward Olawale Afeez reduced the deficit in the 57th as he pounced on a mistake from Gurung, who failed to clear the ball inside the six-yard box.
Satdobato threatened yet again in the 69th only for MMC goalie Bishal Sunar to deny Dipak Raj Singh Thakuri's strike.
Satdobato goalie Avishek Baral also denied strikes from Nishan Limbu and MMC captain Anjan Bista late in the second half.
Under-pressure APF made their intent clear threatening the Sherpa box early in the second minute only for Aashish Lama’s goal to be ruled offside.
The departmental team broke the deadlock in the first-half stoppage time when Awash Lamichhane made a powerful flick header from the tight angle to send captain Nabin Lama’s corner at the far post, leaving goalie Kishor Giri clueless.
Sherpa should have restored parity moments later when their Kenyan forward Mutamba Vunyoli found a ball parried by Japanese goalie Yuya Kuriyama at the edge of the area but ended up shooting above the unguarded post.
In the second half, Sherpa defender Ulrich Siwe's header in Rai's corner sailed wide.
"The win has definitely eased pressure on the team as we have remaining fixtures with top three teams of the table," APF's coach Kumar Thapa said after the match. "Now we can go into the break with a bit of comfort."
Sherpa coach Yugal Kishor Rai was disappointed with his side's performance. "It was the worst game we have played so far," said Rai. "The players looked tired and did not play with a winning mentality."
20.12°C Kathmandu
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