Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) beat title rivals Three Star Club 2-1 to move three points clear on top of the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Thursday. 

Playing without five of its key players, MMC struck twice in the first half to seal the all-important three points. Anjan Bista put MMC ahead early in the 11th minute before Three Star’s Bijay Dhimal conceded an won to make the score line 2-0 seven minutes later. Ranjit Dhimal cut the deficit for Three Star in the late second half through penalty. 

The day’s early kick off saw Chyasal Youth Club record its win with a 5-1 rout of New Road Team (NRT). Amir Shrestha and Bimal Gharti Magar struck braces while Santosh Sahukhala also joined in the goal-scoring spree for Chyasal. The results meant MMC climb top of the points table with nine points after three games while Three Star remain in second with six points. Sankata Club can go level on points with the MMC if it beats Machhindra Club on Friday. Chyasal rose to fourth with four points. Tribhuvan Army Club, Himalayan Sherpa Club, Nepal APF Club and Nepal Police Club also have four points each. NRT stays on 10th position in the 14-team league. 

“The points against Three Star could be crucial in the long run,” said MMC coach Suman Shrestha. “Today we changed the playing formation to 4-5-1 instead preferred 4-4-2. It work well,” said Shrestha. MMC survived third minute scare thanks to its goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha who thwarted Ajayi Martins in one-on-one encounter. MMC then got the breakthrough in the 11th minute when winger Bista smashed home a pass from midfielder Heman Gurung. 

The record seven-time champion MMC doubled its lead in the 18th minute, courtesy an own goal. Three Star custodian Alan Neupane’s attempt to clear the ball to safety found the body of teammate Bijay Dhimal and rebounded into the post. Three Star came close to pulling one back only for MMC goalie Shrestha to deny Sunil Bal with a diving attempt in the 41st minute. Buddha Chemjong’s attempt also went begging a minute later.

The four-time champion Three Star intensified its attack even after the break with Bal once again denied by MMC goalie Shrestha in the 56th minute. Three Star was nearly caught out in counter attack six minutes but an alert goalkeeper Alan Neupane thwarted Nigerian forward Somide’s header. 

Three Star effort finally paid off in the 84th minute when the Lalitpur-based outfits earned a penalty for a foul on Martins by Indian defender Muhamad Asif. Defender Ranjit converted the spot kick to heat up the contest in the dying moments. But MCC held firm to protect its one-goal advantage until the end.   

Three Star coach Meghraj KC lauded MMC for their hard work. “They (MMC) worked really hard and were lucky to score goals,” said KC playing down the significance of the result in the title race. “We still have 10 rounds left and between now and then anything can happen,” said KC who lamented on the lost opportunities. 

In the early match, winger Amir Shrestha struck twice in the first half for Chyasal. He opened the scoring in the 14th and added another in the 28th minute. Nepali international Bimal Gharti Magar made it 3-0 in the 57th before Santosh Sahukhala added the fourth in the 63rd. Gharti Magar made it 5-0 in the 86th before foreign recruit Moshood OA pulled one back for NRT in the injury time.

Today’s Fixture

Brigade Boys vs APF  1100 (Satdobato)

Army vs Police 1430 (Satdobato)

Machhindra vs Sankata 1430 (Halchowk)