Heavyweight Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) made it two out of two wins with a comfortable 2-0 victory over New Road Team (NRT) while Tribhuvan Army Club registered first win defeating Chyasal Youth Club 1-0 as the second round of the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League began on Saturday at the APF grounds in Halchowk.

Nepali international Anjan Bista struck from the spot to open scoring and foreigner player Olawale Afeez added another in the first half as MMC made winning return in the tournament that resumed after festival break. Bista gave a 17th minute lead against NRT, who had held Army to 2-2 draw in their opening match, from the spot after he was brought down in the area by Moshood OA.

MMC’s prolific foreign player Afeez doubled the advantage in the 39th to take his tally to three goals from two matches. He dribbled past three defenders and finished with a well placed shot from the area to beat goalie Sojit Gurung. Afeez had struck twice against Brigade Boys Club during their 3-1 win in the opening match.

The one-sided affair saw MMC’s Bimal Rana fail to score twice before the break as his header from the area was denied by diving goalie Gurung and later he shot inches wide in a one-on-one situation with the glovesman. In the 53rd minute, Rana again headed wide in Afeez’s cross while NRT goalie Gurung again prevented Heman Gurung’s 25-yard scorcher with a diving save. MMC came closer to netting third in the 86th when Adelaja Somioe’s shot beat Gurung but was cleared by Christian BKK from the goalline.

Despite the win, MMC coach Suman Shrestha was hardly satisfied. “The performance was not up to expectations and it was difficult for us to play in the grass pitch as we are used to play only in the artificial turf,” Shrestha said. His NRT counterpart Maheshwar Mulmi said conceding early penalty changed the complexion of the match. “We conceded penalty due to defender’s mistake. That goal demoralised the young players as all players of the squad are inexperienced,” said Mulmi whose side has one point from two matches.

In an entertaining second match of the day, a header from little known Bikash Khawas in the 27th minute sealed the victory for Army against Chyasal. Bikash made a powerful header from the crowded zone in Santosh Tamang corner. The outcome lifts Army to four points from two matches while Chyasal, who was held to 0-0 draw in the first match, has one point.

The eventful match with numerous quick move saw departmental side coming closer to scoring in the seventh minute when Santosh Tamang’s quick volley from the area struck at the upright. Amir Shrestha replied for Chyasal in the 14th forcing Army goalie Bikesh Kuthu for a long stretch dive after Amir Shrestha unleashed scorcher from 30-yard. Four minutes later Santosh Sahukhala fired above the zone from edge of the area.

Army coach Nabin Neupane said that his side has come up with an improved performance. “We had targeted three points and we got that. But there were weaknesses in finishing,” he said who was all praise of his goalie Kuthu. Chyasal coach Raju Shakya said that his ‘exhausted team’ played better than his expectations. “The players were exhausted after playing two matches—final and semi-final—during Rhino Cup in Chitwan that concluded on Thursday,” said Shakya appreciating the effort from Kuthu. Shakya was critical about hard surface at the APF grounds.

Today’s Matches

Machhindra Vs Police @1100

Brigade Vs Three Star @1430

Venue: ANFA, Satdobato