Ten-man NMB Bank Machhindra Football Club (MFC) stunned defending champions Laxmi Bank Three Star Club 2-1 in the Super League of the Martyrs Memorial Red Bull A Division League here at the Dashrath Stadium on Wednesday.

Prakash Budhathoki gave Three Star an early lead in the 11th minute. But Chrisope Essome put MFC on level terms in the 79th minute while leading scorer Karna Limbu’s sublime volley in the fifth minute of injury time completed a remarkable turn around considering that they played the last 42 minutes with a man down. Aboubacar Bangoura was sent off in the 48th minute for pushing Three Star mid-fielder Bikram Lama.

“Even with 10 men, we went for the win. We did well to capitalise on our chances and we deserved the result,” said a delighted MFC coach Johan Kalin. The defeat dents Three Star’s hope of title defence as they drop to third in the standings with 24 points from 13 games, a point behind second-placed Nepal Police Club (NPC) and two behind leaders Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC). MMC will have a chance to extend their lead to five if they win against Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club on Thursday. MFC are in fourth with 22 points.

Three Star took an early lead when defender Sandip Rai’s long ball forward found an unmarked Budhathoki inside the area, who calmly guided the ball past MFC custodian Dinesh Thapa Magar in the 11th minute. MFC then threatened the defending champions through out the first half with winger Ajay BK blasting his effort from inside the area over the goal in the 16th minute. Dilen Loktan’s dipping 40-yard strike was then tipped over the cross bar by Three Star shot-stopper Kiran Chemjong seven minutes later.

Tempers soured after the interval when Bangoura was shown red for a needless push on Lama after referee Nabindra Maharjan had awarded a freekick for MFC in the 48th minute.  Three Star failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage and it was MFC who leveled the scores when Uttam Gurung’s swirling freekick fell on the feet of Essome inside the area, who slotted the ball home in the 79th minute.

MFC continued to press forward and were rewarded when league Limbu’s brilliant volley from the edge of the area nestled into the roof of the net. “We continued to play with two strikers and created chances even after the dismissal of Bangoura. I was really pleased with the fighting attitude our players showed,” added Kalin.

Three Star coach Anjan KC criticised his players’ inability to utilise their numerical advantage. “Our experienced players let the team down. We just could not keep the ball possession,” said KC. “The loss definitely increases pressure on us as MMC will go five points clear if they win on Thursday. But we still have four games remaining and it is important that we play to win every game,” added KC.