Nepali international Bikram Lama marked his comeback to competitive football scoring a goal in Three Star Club’s 5-1 thumping of Brigade Boys Club (BBC) as the Lalitpur-based team maintained its winning run in the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League football tournament at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Sunday.
Nepali international Bikram Lama marked his comeback to competitive football scoring a goal in Three Star Club’s 5-1 thumping of Brigade Boys Club (BBC) as the Lalitpur-based team maintained its winning run in the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League football tournament at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Sunday.
Coming after a 10-month injury layoff, Lama netted the last goal of the match after defender Rajit Dhimal had opened the scoring for Three Star from penalty spot. Sunil Bal, Ranjan Bista and Nirajan Khadka were also on targets for Three Star. Ranjan Tiwari pulled one back for BBC.
“It was a pleasant comeback,” said the 29-year-old who fractured his right-leg on February 10 during the Budha Subba Gold Cup final against Dharan. “I really worked hard for the return to football,” said the established midfielder who made the national team debut during a friendly against Pakistan in 2012. “There were doubts in my minds whether I could play with the same tempo that I was accustomed with in the past. I am happy to have play the full 90 minutes without any problem. Getting on the scoresheet was just a bonus,” added Lama who was deployed as a defender instead of central midfielder by coach Meghraj KC.
“Lama looks better and stronger now than before getting injured,” said KC. “He has been out of action for so long. In his time out of action, we played many tournaments with other players filling up his boots. We deployed him in the new role as per the team requirement.” Lama was happy to play in any position for the team. “Sooner or later I will be back to my usual position as central midfielder,” said Lama.
Star-studded Three Star opened the scoring in the ninth minute from spot through defender Ranjit Dhimal. Referee Prakash Nath Shrestha pointed towards the spot after BBC defender Randip Paudel tripped Nirajan Khadka inside the zone. Three Star was made to wait until 51st minute to add to their tally with a spectacular goal from Nepali international Sunil Bal.
BBC cut the deficit in the 75th through Rajan Tiwari who converted a Ritik Khadka’s pass from inside area. Three Star added the last three goals in the nine minutes. Ranjan Bista restored a two-goal cushion with a tactful display as he dispossessed ball from BBC defender inside the area and made a well placed finish.
Nirajan Khadka made it 4-1 with a powerful volley from the edge of the area after being fed by Bal before Lama sealed the victory heading home a Bal cross in the injury time. The victory puts Three Star level of points with Manang Marshyangdi Club at six points from two matches while BBC is yet to open its account.
BBC Coach Urjan Shrestha said his team conceded two many goals after going for goals in the later stages of the game. “As we were trailing by one goal, we chose to go all guns blazing and in the process conceded more goals,” said Shrestha. “But I am satisfied with the performance of my boys considering the might of Three Star,” he said.
In the early kickoff, Nepal Police Club (NPC) was forced to settle for a goalless draw by Machhindra Club. Despite dominating the match and creating number of chances the departmental team failed to break the stubborn Machhindra defence. The outcome puts NPC, who defeated Jawalakhel Youth Club 1-0 in their first game, on four points while Machhindra has two points after second draw in a row.
NPC coach Ananta Raj Thapa lamented on the missed opportunities. “We missed out of claiming all three points for sure as we squandered too many scoring chances. Its a nice learning experience. Now we have find a way out to secure all three points against teams who come with the mentality of stealing a point,” said Thapa. Machhindra coach Dhaneshwar Prajapati was happy to share the spoils.
Today’s Matches
Jawalakhel vs Sankata (1100 NST @ ANFA)
Friends vs APF (1430 NST @ ANFA)
Himalayan Sherpa vs Saraswati (1430 NST @ Halchowk)
Prajwal Oli was a sports coordinator for The Kathmandu Post, focusing on football, cricket and the National Sports Council. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2017, he spent more than eight years at Republica, specialising in football and sports politics, and at The Rising Nepal.
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