Far-western FC piled more misery on Nepal Police Club (NPC) with a 4-1 win over the departmental team, while Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) edged Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) 1-0 in the Red Bull National League here at the Anfa complex in Satdobato on Tuesday.

The U-19 team stalwarts Bimal Gharti Magar, Ananta Tamang, Shiva Subedi and Tej Tamang scored for Far West, while Jumanu Rai replied for NPC. The Under-19 team attacking defender Tamang opened the scoring for Far West, heading home a freekick from Lawal early in the third minute.

The national team striker Rai levelled the scores in the 18th minute as he headed in a Ram Chandra Wajee’s cross. But NPC were kept busy defending the continuous Far West onslaught and their hard work paid off three minutes from the break. Subedi’s shot from the edge of the area took a lucky deflection off an NPC defender on its way to the net.

Far West came all guns blazing after the break and it took merely three minutes for the U-19 skipper Gharti Magar to extend their lead. Fed inside six yards by Tej Tamang, Gharti Magar diverted the ball past helpless NPC custodian Ritesh Thapa to make the scoreline 3-1. In a role reversal, Tamang then completed the rout by scoring the fourth late on after exchanging passes with Gharti Magar. Tamang comfortably beat the substitute goalkeeper Roshan.

Despite the comprehensive victory, Far West coach Kiran Shrestha lamented on the missed scoring opportunities. “Our game is improving in every other game and the pace and acute passes is troubling our opponents,” said Shrestha. His NPC counterpart Birat Krishna Shrestha was not surprised by the outcome after a poor display from his defenders. The result meant Far West remain seventh with 17 points from 14 games, while NPC are one place below with 12 points from as many games.

In the day’s second game, Nawayug scored the winner for the Army team in the 18th minute, heading in a Deepak Gurung’s cross. TAC coach Megh Raj KC said the game went according to their plan.

“MMC are a tough team to play with and they never really played under pressure. It was an entertaining battle due to the commitment shown by players of both sides,”

said KC. “MMC have a good team but their stars don’t seem to put on much effort, a common problem in Nepali football. Title race is wide open and we cannot get buoyed by a single victory.”

MMC coach Raju Kaji Shakya said: “We  made mistakes while setting the

team. We played well in the second half but failed to cash in on the opportunities. We still five matches left and anything can happen in the league as it is getting more entertaining.”  The Army moved one place up to third with 20 points from 11 games while pushing MMC, who have 19 points from 11 games, to fourth in the standings.