Sports
‘A’ Division League: Maxwell goal rescues Sankata
A goal in the dying moments of the match from Ellon Maxwell secured Sankata Club a 1-0 victory over New Road Team as it levelled on points with leader Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) in the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League football tournament at the Nepal APF grounds in Halchowk on Saturday.Prajwal Oli
A goal in the dying moments of the match from Ellon Maxwell secured Sankata Club a 1-0 victory over New Road Team as it levelled on points with leader Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) in the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League football tournament at the Nepal APF grounds in Halchowk on Saturday.
The Cameroonian forward netted the all-important goal in the third minute of the four-minute stoppage time from a crowded zone to rescue Sankata which pulled off its sixth win of the contest. The outcome puts the team level on 18 points with leader MMC from seven matches. MMC has a match advantage over Sankata and could move three points clear if it beats Machhindra Club on Monday. NRT, who played 1-1 draw against Tribhuvan Army Club in its opening match, hits the rock bottom with just one point in league that does not have provision of relegation.
Sankata coach Salyan Khadgi appreciated the stubborn defence of the opponent and said his side had underestimated NRT. “The boys came into the match taking the opponent lightly. NRT was defensively organised and we could not give a good finishing despite getting ample of scoring chances,” said Khadgi who also blamed match referee for giving wrong decisions.
NRT coach Maheshwar Mulmi was even more harsh on referee claiming he favoured Sankata. “We played against 14 opponents,” he said pointing to the referee and assistant referees. “We failed in finishing department despite creating chances,” Mulmi said whose side is yet to taste victory. “We could still achieve our ambition of top seven finish as we are yet to play seven more matches.”
The early kickoff of the day saw Himalayan Sherpa Club fight back to register 1-1 draw against Nepal Police Club. Bishwas Shrestha struck for Sherpa deep into second half to cancel the departmental team’s first half lead taken through Bharat Shah. The outcome left Police and Sherpa stable at the sixth and seventh spots level on 11 points. Police sits above Sherpa in terms of better goal difference.
Shah made the breakthrough for Police in the 31st minute with a spectacular one-touch finish from the area to convert Tej Tamang’s right flank cross. Police could have netted yet another goal in the 36th minute before Shah ended up firing inches wide near from the penalty spot after beating two Sherpa defenders.
Sherpa forced the equaliser in the 70th minute with a tactful move through Bishwas Shrestha after Rabi Thapa Magar set him a short freekick pass to slam at far post. In the 82nd minute, Police second choice goalie Arpan Karki, who replaced Satrudhan Chaudhary in the 58th due to injury, easily caught Karna Limbu’s feeble tap from the area on a cross from Tridev Gurung. In the 86th, Sherpa’s Cameroonian recruit Dady Junior Wamba’s shot from the edge of six-yard box sailed high above bar after the ball deflected off Police defender.
Police coach Ananta Raj Thapa rued the missed chances. “Though we got the goal early in the game as per our plan, we failed to make most of the chances that came our way. We even missed a one-versus-one chance,” he said referring to Shah’s off target shot in the 36th minute.
Today’s Fixtures
APF Vs Saraswati 1100 NST (Satdobato)
Three Star Vs Jawalakhel 1430 (Satdobato)
Chyasal Vs Friends 1430 (Halchowk)