Three Star Club paid a fitting tribute to their deceased President Lalit Krishna Shrestha defeating Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club 4-1 to climb to second in the Red Bull National League at Anfa Complex on Tuesday.

The match began with players observing a minute of silence in the memory of Shrestha who passed away on June 12 of electric shock. Jagjeet Shrestha scored twice, while Segun Eyitayo and Bijay Gurung added one each in Three Star victory to underline their title credentials.

The win was a morale booster for newly recruited Three Star coach Rajendra Tamang, who took over the job from Anjan KC 10 days ago. Tamang was excited to taste victory in his debut game. “We played a team game and Jagjeet made a difference for us. Its good to start with a victory,” said Tamang.

Three Star were always a better side having recruited Africans Olawale Afeez, Eyitayo and Peter to add to a star studded lineup of Shrestha, Bikram Lama, Sagar Thapa and Sandip Rai. The Patan-based club built early pressure and took a 10th minute lead through Eyitayo.

In a defensive lapse, Eyitayo was left unmarked as he received a header from Bikram Lama and a weak shot from the African was enough to beat an advancing APF custodian Bikram Gurung. Eyitayo was close to doubling the lead in the 26th minute when his shot beat Gurung and headed towards the goal before it was cleared by Ramesh Dangal.

APF levelled in the 28th minute with Three Star goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong’s freak blunder. Chemjong was too casual while grabbing a 30-yard freekick from Heman Gurung as the ball hit his gloves and rolled into the nets making way from the little space left between the goalkeeper and pole.

Shrestha restored the lead for Three Star with an entertaining goal. The midfielder chest-controlled a head

ball from Eyitayo and slammed a powerful volley from inside the area, leaving Gurung with hardly any time to react. Three Star were equally dominating in the second half and Bijay Gurung double the lead for the Lalitpur-based outfit.

Gurung gave a simple tap in to a pin point cross from Lama at the goalmouth as APF defenders and goalkeeper Gurung were turned mute spectators. APF were close to reduce the deficit when Ranjan Bista set his brother Anjan inside the area for a one-versus-one with Chemjong but the U-19 star forward shot straight to the glovesman.

As the match approached its final minute, Shrestha produced a stunner when his curling freekick at the top corner turned into a sensational goal. APF coach Krishna Thapa said the finishing act was the difference between the two teams.

“I am happy with how my boys played today because Three Star are really strong team. The only area that we failed was at the front line. We were unable to make good finish,” said Thapa. On Wednesday, Lumbini will take on Far-western Club.