A dying moment goal from Dipesh Ale Magar gave Satdobato Youth Club 1-0 victory over Friends Club as they continued their perfect run in the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar on Saturday.

The forward struck the all-important goal in the third minute of the four-minute stoppage time to seal the victory in the Lalitpur derby. Ale Magar, under poor marking by Prem Bhandari, collected a perfect through pass from Niraj Chaudhary in the area and beat goalie Raja Babu Thapa in one-on-one situation.

With the win, Satdobato joined leaders Church Boys United Club (CBUC) on nine points from three games, but are second in the standings on goal difference. Satdobato and CBUC are the only teams to maintain a winning streak after Jawalakhel Youth Club shared points with Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club in a 0-0 draw in the day’s early kick off. Friends have one point with two defeats and a draw.

Sankata thump Police 3-0 to taste first win

Sankata Club tasted their first victory with a convincing 3-0 win over Nepal Police Club. Ganesh Hamal gave an early lead to Sankata as Roshan Pahari and Suraj Jeu Thakuri struck deep into the second half at the Chyasal Stadium in Lalitpur.

Sankata, who had shared points with Tribhuvan Army Club and gone down 1-0 against Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC), have four points from three matches. Unlike them, Police, who are yet to open the scoring, had lost both of their previous games – 2-1 against leaders Church Boys United Club and 1-0 to Himalayan Sherpa Club.

Forward Hamal put Sankata ahead in the 12th minute at their very first attempt on goal. Himal chipped Sunil Shrestha’s pass from the right flank to break the deadlock. Pahari doubled the advantage in the 80th minute with a powerful semi-volley strike after he found the ball parried by goalie Anjan Rai in his bid to deny Manish Dangi’s strike.

Nepali international Thaukuri scored a sensational goal to seal the victory for Sankata as he unleashed a 25-yard scorcher in a brilliant cut back pass by Manish Dangi.

Despite his side’s run of poor results, Police coach Chet Kumar Ghimire was confident that his team would stage a comeback. “Our performance is not that bad, although we lost all three previous games. Though a winless run puts the team under pressure, we are yet to play 23 games,” Ghimire said. “The squad is studded with young players and they are yet to put up their best.”

APF put brakes on Jawalakhel’s winning run

Departmental side Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club ended Jawalakhel Youth Club’s winning streak in the third match with a 0-0 draw at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar.

Jawalakhel, who were off to a flying start in the league campaign with a 3-1 victory over defending champions Machhindra Club and 2-1 win over New Road Team in their previous matches, played with a man-down for the last 20 minutes following marching orders given to Adama Doumbia.

They are placed third on seven points while APF have four points with a draw, a win and a defeat each. APF had defeated Three Star Club 2-0 in their opening game and lost 1-0 to Satdobato Youth Club.

Both sides created a few scoring opportunities, but failed to capitalise on them. Jawalakhel threatened APF in the 24th minute through Guinean recruit Fode Fofana, but goalie Anjal Shrestha easily grabbed his strike from the edge of the area.

Five minutes later, goalie Shrestha again rescued Jawalakhel as he again caught Lesotho forward Nkoto Masoabi’s long-range strike. Hari Karki squandered a scoring opportunity for APF in the 32nd minute by captain Nabin Lama, who tapped above the bar at an unattended post.

Two minutes into the second half, APF could have taken the lead through Armand Beaddoum, but unmarked Chad forward fired above the bar from the edge of the area.

APF’s Malian midfielder Adama Doumbia was shown a straight red card in the 70th minute after he argued with referee Prajwol Chhetri, expressing dissatisfaction over his decision to slap him with a yellow card after a foul by Hishub Thapaliya.

Despite playing the remaining period with a one-man advantage, Jawalakhel failed to get on the score sheet.