Church Boys United lost their momentum in the title race after they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Tribhuvan Army in the Martyrs Memorial A-Division League in Kathmandu on Saturday.

A win or a draw against Army would have reinstalled CBU to the top of the 14-team standings. But Gillespye Jung Karki surprised them with a decisive header moments before the break as CBU failed to reopen a three-point.

The defeat also ended CBU’s four-match winning streak in the league. It was also CBU’s second loss against the departmental side and their only third defeat overall.

CBU came to the Dasharath Stadium knowing they could not afford to lose if they were to command the league and keep the pressure up on Jawalakhel.

But Army kept CBU under constant threat, with Sesehang Angdembe testing goalkeeper Guillaume Yves Priso with a speculative long range shot in the 7th minute.

Dinesh Hemjan then forced Priso a finger-tip save with almost similar long-ranger from 30 yards out in the 19th minute, this time the shot was more precise and finer and almost beat Priso.

Jung Karki had scored the winner in Army’s 1-0 first leg win over CBU on April 25 and the forward stung CBU again, lifting a long free kick from Jitendra Karki over two defenders and Priso and into the top corner in the 43rd minute.

CBU could not overcome the pressure after the restart as Army held on to their slim lead to span their four-match winless streak.

The win moved Army up to sixth in the table.

Jawalakhel will especially rejoice the CBU’s defeat as they keep the top position having played equal 17 games. Both teams are level on 30 points but Jawalakhel have a better head-to-head record.

Machhindra, Satdobato win

Earlier, Machhindra continued their revival with a 1-0 statement victory against other title chasers Three Star Club at Chyasal Stadium.

After a slow start to their season, reigning champions Machhindra have now re-established themselves as serious title contenders, and their victory over Three Star is an absolute evidence of their intent to win a third consecutive title.

The latest setback came on earlier this week when they lost 2-1 against CBU to break their five-match unbeaten streak.

But they put aside their hangover and went in front after 10 minutes through Yuta Suzuki, whose deflected shot off a rebound found the back of the net after Three Star goalkeeper Purna Chemjung denied Olawale Afeez.

Three Star dominated the possession throughout the game after conceding but failed to find the target as their winless run continued for six straight matches. The defeat also denied them the opportunity to cut the gap to two points.

Machhindra climbed to third position with 27 points.

Three Star dropped to fifth spot after Satdobato Youth Club thrashed Armed Police Force Club 3-0 in the day’s late fixture at the Dasharath Stadium to claim the fourth position.

Dipak Raj Singh Thakuri scored a brace and provided an assist to help Satdobato end their four-match winless run.

William Opoku Asiedu put Satdobato in front in the 13th minute with a beautiful volley after Thakuri squared for him with a lofted pass.

Thakuri doubled Satdobato’s advantage in the 36th minute when his powerful low drive from the edge of the area hit the woodwork before finding the net.

Thakuri then rounded off Satdobato’s victory in the 77th minute with his 12th goal of the season following a brilliant individual effort. Thakuri is level with Jawalakhel’s Nkoto Masoabi in the goal-scoring chart, which is led by Khumaltar Youth Club’s Messouke Oloumou who has 13 goals.

The win moved Satdobato up to the fourth position with 26 points.