Machhindra Football Club (MFC) secured second position in the Martyrs Memorial Red Bull A Division League following a 1-0 win over Sankata Club in their last Super League match here at the Dashrath Stadium on Thursday.

Leading scorer Karna Limbu’s 11th goal of the season on the hour mark proved to be the difference between the two sides as MFC recorded their fifth consecutive victory in the Super League in a game where MFC squandered numerous goal scoring opportunities.

The win took MFC’s points tally to 34 from 17 games, a point behind champions Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) who have a game in hand. Defending champions Three Star Club are third with 29 points. Sankata, meanwhile, finish their season in fifth position, with 24 points from their 17 games.

“When I first arrived at the club, my aim was to build a strong squad. But finishing second is a tremendous achievement,” said MFC’s Swedish coach Johan Kalin praising his side’s consistent run of performances, especially in the Super League where MFC managed to win all their five games.

MFC dominated the first-half with forwards Limbu and Bishal Rai combining brilliantly to create the best chance before interval when clever passing between the pair at the edge of the area set Rai one-on-one with Sankata custodian Dipesh Yadav, who acrobatically palmed away Rai’s chipped attempt in the 44th minute. 

Earlier, Sushil KC’s close range header and Rajin Dhimal’s one-touch finish on KC’s cross were both ruled out offside in the ninth and 15th minute respectively.

The pattern of play remained similar even after the resumption with MFC forwards posing a constant menace to the Sankata defence. KC’s perfect pas put Rai clean through on goal whose weak effort was comfortably saved by Sankata shot-stopper Yadav in the 52nd minute, while Limbu fired KC’s driven cross wide from close range seven minutes later.

MFC finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark when league leading scorer Limbu coolly slotted Aboubacar Bangoura’s cross into the bottom corner from close range. Limbu started the move with his through ball setting Bangoura clear on the left flank whose cross was then guided home by the forward.

“Everyone at the club is happy with what we have achieved over the course of the season and I think the players deserve all the credit,” said the MFC coach Kalin.

“The players have improved both individually and as a team with every other game. We have even able to defeat stronger sides like Three Star, NPC and the champions MMC in the Super League. Now it is important that we maintain our desire for improvement in the future as well,” added the MFC coach.

Sankata coach Raju Kaji Shakya said that he was satisfied with his side’s overall performance in the league but added that there was a lot of room for improvement.

“I am satisfied with finishing fifth but the players need to improve a lot if we are to finish higher in the standings next season,” said the former Nepali international Shakya. “We have been solid defensively but we need to raise our game in the attacking front,” added the Sankata coach.