Sports
Machhindra, NRT share the spoils; Army held
Machhindra Club and New Road Team (NRT) played a 5-5 draw in the bottom-of-the-table clash while departmental giants Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) were held to a 0-0 draw by unfancied Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) during the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League on Monday.Prajwal Oli
Machhindra Club and New Road Team (NRT) played a 5-5 draw in the bottom-of-the-table clash while departmental giants Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) were held to a 0-0 draw by unfancied Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) during the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League on Monday.
At the ANFA Complex in Satdobato, Machhindra squandered a 4-1 lead against NRT to share the spoils while fourth-placed TAC squandered a chance to move on third after the draw at the APF grounds in Halchowk. The late fixture at the ANFA ground saw Brigade Boys Club (BBC) register a 3-0 victory over Friends Club after Nigerian recruit Kazeem Adegoke Busari struck twice and Abdu Kareem added the another.
The outcome left NRT and Machhindra both rooted at the bottom with six and seven points respectively in the 14-team league. Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) have already sealed the title with 33 points from 11 games. TAC, who could have replaced Three Star Club at third place with a victory, remained unchanged in fourth with 22 points. JYC are in ninth with 12 points. BBC climbed two spots up to 11th with nine points.
Machhindra took an early fourth minute lead through Ivorian recruit Vassodia. But NRT equalised nine minutes later through an own goal courtesy goalkeeper Deep Karki. Machhindra restored their lead a minute later through Bishal Rai. Winger Khamir Gilson Kandangwa made it 3-1 in the 28th minute before Anil Gurung extended the lead with the fourth goal in the 30th.
Ashok Thapa led the NRT revival with two quick goals in the 33rd and 35th minute. NRT then made it 4-4 in the first half stoppage, scoring from the penalty. Machhindra custodian Deep Karki brought down Kouassi Jean Didier inside the area prompting referee to point towards the spot and Sushil Lama stepped in to convert it. Rai again restored the lead for Machhindra in the 86th when he headed in skipper Uttam Gurung’s freekick from the crowded area. The game was far from over as Didier struck four minutes from time to salvage a point for NRT.
“We conceded goal at regular intervals thanks largely to out defensive errors,” NRT coach Maheshwar Mulmi said. “The club was reluctant in bolstering the squad this season due to the ‘no-relegation’ provision. But we will make our team strong next year,” added Mulmi. Machhindra coach Nishan Shrestha believed it was disappointing result considering that they let a 4-1 lead slip out.
The late match saw Nigerian forward Kazeem Adegoke Busari put BBC ahead against Friends in the 16th minute. The forward doubled their advantage one minute after restart. Abdu Karim sealed the victory with third goal in the stoppage time.
Today’s Fixtures
Saraswati vs Chyasal (1430 NST, Satdobato)
APF vs NPC (1430 NST, Halchowk)