Friends Club defeated Khumaltar Youth Club 3-1 on Monday to move two points away from the relegation zone in the Martyrs’ Memorial A-Division League.

Rafiq Aminu scored twice in quick succession and Santosh Khatri added another goal towards the end of the second half at the Chyasal Stadium as Friends climbed to the ninth position with 19 points.

But Friends cannot heave a sigh of relief just yet with the relegation battle becoming tighter as the season evolves.

The defeat dropped Khumaltar to the drop zone again. But, they have 17 points from 16 matches.

Nepal Police Club sit at the bottom of the 14-team standings with 16 points, despite holding the record-eight time champions Manang Marshyangdi Club to a 2-2 draw.

Sankanta Club and New Road Team also have 17 points each, but stay above Khumaltar due to a better goal difference.

At the ANFA ground, Ghanaian Aminu put Friends ahead in the 4th minute and added another goal in the 16th, to put his side in the driving seat.

League’s top scorer Messouke Oloumou reduced the deficit in the 67th minute with his 13th goal of the season.

But Khatri ended Khumaltar’s hopes of a fight back in the 77th minute to secure Friends an important victory. Friends had lost against Khumaltar 1-0 in the first leg of the season’s opening match on March 4.

-Hijazi rescue Police-

Former five-time champions Police threw away a one-goal lead, but fought back for a point against Manang after Ahmad Hijazi scored the all-important goals at the ANFA Complex.

Lebanon’s Hijazi gave Police the lead in the 16th minute, converting Moses Gyabaah Tuwum’s pass with a one-touch finish.

Roshan Rana Magar equalised three minutes after the half-hour mark with an individual effort.

Manang’s Uzbeki midfielder Sayidjamol Davlatjonov sent his shot from outside the box in the top corner in the 44th minute to put Police in deep trouble.

But Hijazi came to the rescue, converting a pass from Rabi Paswan in the 71st minute.

Manang are now placed in the seventh position with 20 points.