Midfielder Bhola Nath Silwal struck the decider as former champions Nepal Police Club (NPC) opened the Martyrs Memorial Red Bull A Division League with a nervy 1-0 over Yeti Himalayan Sherpa Club here at the Dashrath Stadium on Wednesday. In another match, Simrik Saraswoti Club held Srinath Collection RCT (Ranipokhari Corner Team) to a 1-1 draw.

Silwal scored from close in a goalmouth-melee in the 59th minute following a Robin Shrestha delivery in the area. In a new-look NPC, Suraj BK, Ajit Bhandari and Dinesh Gurung made their league debut for the departmental team but their inclusion created more of a confusion than strength. “It will take time for the new boys to settle in as they are not yet match experienced,” said the long-serving NPC coach Birat Krishna Shrestha. The NPC coach, however, was confident that his side will find their form in time to challenge for the title.

NPC missed out on scoring twice in the first half but Himalayan Sherpa had their custodian Binaya Shrestha to thank for to keep the game goalless. Best to the two saves from the Sherpa keeper came in the 34th minute when the goalie brilliantly punched out a goal-bound powerful 35-yard effort from Bhandari. Silwal then struck for NPC when Robin delivered the ball across the face of the goal. Silwal was swift to react in a goal-mouth confusion to slot the ball home from close.

Himalayan Sherpa coach Bikash Gauchan confessed that he was bidding to at least steal a point. “Since it was our first game, we were looking for a draw,” said Gauchan adding that their plan was to score in counter move. Gauchan partly blamed the defeat to poor refereeing. “They (NPC) scored when one of their players clearly handled the ball in the process, while on one occasion we were denied a certain penalty,” added Gauchan.

In the second game, the 66th minute substitute Ruis Henry converted a freekick for Saraswoti to cancel out a fourth minute RCT goal scored by Bhim Darlami. Both the team shared a point each from their first game but RCT are assured of the bottom place until at least for the second round. RCT started the league with three-point penalty imposed by the All Nepal Football Association (Anfa) for not participating in the Ncell Cup. They were additionally fined Rs 500,000 for the same reason.

Darlami headed in a Sagar Lama freekick to put RCT ahead early in the fourth minute. But in a match where goal scoring chances were few and far, Henry levelled the scores in the 76th minute. Henry earned a freekick when Krishna Kunwar tripped him at the edge of the area and the player stepped in to convert from the deadball situation.

“For this season, we have a very modest target: to avoid relegation,” said RCT coach Madhu Karki. “We started with three-point penalty and have identified four teams against whom we hope to earn full three points,” said Karki adding that Saraswoti was one of those teams. Karki also revealed that his club’s participation itself was uncertain until the last minute meaning that his players had little time preparing for the league. 

Saraswoti coach Ashok KC rated the game as a 50-50. “Both the teams performed well but we should have scored more goals considering that we had 12 shots on target against the two from RCT,” added KC.

 

KATHMANDU: All Nepal Football Association of Nepal (Anfa) on Wednesday slapped a three-match ban on both Deepak Bhusal of NIBL Friends and Bishal Shrestha of Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club for their improper conduct during their Tuesday’s A Division League match. The two footballer had traded punches during their game prompting referee to sent off both the players. Match referee Bikash Mahat and the commissioner decided to extended their suspension from automatic one to three matches. (PR)