Sports
Tribhuvan Army defeat Sankata 5-1 to reach top in 'A' Division League football
Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) brought high-flying Sankata Club down to earth with a 5-1 thumping to climb atop the standings of the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League football tournament at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Monday.Prajwal Oli
Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) brought high-flying Sankata Club down to earth with a 5-1 thumping to climb atop the standings of the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League football tournament at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Monday.
Tek Bahadur Budhathoki struck twice for the Army, who rose to top of the standings and condemn Sankata, who had maintained clean sheet so far, to its first defeat. Bharat Khawas, Santosh Tamang and Dinesh Henjan were also on targets for Army. Army has 10 points from four matches, one point ahead of Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC), who can overtake the departmental side if it beats Nepal APF Club on Tuesday.
In the late match, Three Star Club bounced back from its 2-1 defeat against MMC in the last match to beat New Road Team (NRT) 2-0. The result meant Three Star stand level with MMC and Sankata on nine points but the Lalitpur-based team stays third on the basis of head-to-head record with MMC and superior goal difference against Sankata.
TAC missed out on taking an early third minute lead when Santosh Tamang squandered a penalty, hitting at the upright. TAC were awarded the spot kick after Amit Tamang tripped Tanka Basnet inside the area. Sankata then took the lead in the ninth minute through forward Maxwell Ellon.
The Cameroonian tapped in Dipesh Ale Magar pass from area leaving the advancing goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu no chance whatsoever.
The goal woke the TAC from its slumber and it levelled the scored in the 17th minute through Budhathoki. The midfielder headed in Santosh Tamang’s freekick from the crowded area. Nepali international Khawas broke his goal drought in the league scoring second goal for the departmental giants in the 29th. Khawas made a good use of a clever pass from Dinesh Henjan to slam home the goal.
Sankata also earned a penalty but it too wasted it in the 51st minute. Amit Tamang fired above bar after Bikash Tamang brought down Nitin Thapa inside the zone. Santosh made amends for his missed penalty by converting a freekick in the 63rd minute to make it 3-1. Two minutes later Budhathoki netted his second goal with a low strike from the zone. His first attempt on goal was blocked by goalie Raju Babu Thapa but did not miss out on the rebound. Henjan sealed the comprehensive Army victory scoring in a solitary effort, unleashing a well placed low strike from the area to send the ball at the back of net in the 77th minute.
The scoreline came as a big relief to Army coach Nabin Neupane. “Our strikers were unable to score in previous matches and I hope the score will boost their confidence in upcoming games. We are far from our usual best,” said Neupane adding the points will put more pressing on MMC.
In another match, Ranjit Dhimal and Ajayi Martins scored late goals to give Three Star a 2-0 win over NRT. Dhimal broke the deadlock in the 75th when his shot from the spot was blocked by custodian Ajit Prajapati but he was quick enough to score on a rebound. Nigerian forward Martins settled the nerves adding the second in the stoppage time.
At the APF grounds in Halchowk, Nepal Police Club (NPC) stunned star studded Chyasal Youth Club 2-0. Ravi Paswan put NPC ahead in the 40th and Bharat Shah doubled their lead in the 89th minute. NPC joined Himalayan Sherpa Club on fifth place with seven points while Chyasal is on seventh with four points from four matches.
Today’s Fixtures
Brigade vs Saraswati @ 1100
MMC vs APF @ 1430
(Venue: Satdobato)