A fading moment goal saved the blushes for pre-tournament favorites Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) in a 2-2 draw against New Road Team (NRT) as the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League football tournament kicked off at the ANFA Complex on Saturday.

Midfielder Santosh Tamang netted both the goals for the departmental giants including the last minute equaliser in a match marred by controversial referee decision. NRT, who were making a comeback to the top tier league after six years, had taken the lead twice with goals in either half from Rojit Pudasaini and Rajesh Pariyar.

With a young and inexperienced squad, NRT came with defend and counter attack approach and took lead as early as in the 12th minute through Pudasaini. He gave a perfect finishing touch from the goalline to convert Pariyar’s strike from zone to stun Army. Boasting half-a-dozen Nepali internationals, Army came closer to scoring in the 24th minute before Pudasaini defended Suman Aryal’s goal-bound header in Tamang’s corner.

Man-of-the-match NRT goalie Ajit Prajapati denied Army in the 37th as he made a long stretching dive to prevent George Prince Karki’s scorcher from the edge of the area. Tamang made it 1-1 for TAC a minute later from penalty

spot after Saroj Tamang got his hands to ball ball inside the area. Army resorted to offensive approach after the restart before NRT netted the second goal in counter attack in the 64th.

Forward Pariyar beat past goalie Bikesh Kuthu inside the area after he collected a flick pass from Nishan Limbu in a ball released by custodian Prajapati to restore the one-goal cushion. “Our strategy of defensive approach and counter attack paid off,” NRT’s coach Maheshwar Mulmi said at the post match conference.

“Army are superior team and it is a matter of pride for us to score against them. There are many young players in the team and most of them are making their first ‘A’ Division League appearance,” the coach added.

In the 67th minute, national team defender Suman Aryal left flank shot went inches wide while forward Nawayug Shrestha’s 75th minute strike from the edge was caught by goalie Prajapati. Substitute Deep Lama’s attempt on goal in the 82nd missed by a whisker and two minutes later custodian Prajapati made a heroic save to prevent him.

The equaliser Army scored few seconds before the final whistle drew refereeing controversy. Referee Sudish Pandey awarded the departmental team an indirect freekick inside the zone charging goalie Prajapati holding the ball for a long time. Tamang slammed in a powerful shot from the crowded zone after Arik Bista released short pass to the midfielder. The referee decision drew furious reactions after the match from NRT officials and supporters who not only asked Prajapati to boycott the prize but also went to pull him at the stage.

NRT coach Mulmi fumed at referee Pandey claiming he not only favored Army but also took bribes from them. “The second goal we conceded through indirect kick was not foul. The referee (Pandey) has always been bias to us even in the past,” said Mulmi who also questioned his qualification as referee.

Mulmi’s counterpart Nabin Neupane of Army said his side played just 25 percent of their potential. “The performance was not up to the mark. NRT played with compact defense and we failed to break that,” said Neupane adding that they failed to start as per expectations. “The (two) points are likely to put us in difficult position in our title aspirations as the league progresses.