Mahendra Police Club (MPC) beat Brigade Boys Club (BBC) 2-0, Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) played to a 2-2 tie against Machhindra Football Club (MFC) while Friend’s Club (FC) defeated Mahabir Club (MC) 3-1 in the matches played today in the ANFA Martyrs’ Memorial “A” Division League Football Tournament.
At the match played at Dashrath Stadium, Arjun Rijal headed home an early for MPC in the 4th minute off Bhola Silwal’s cross. MPC stubborn defense line didn’t provide any room to BBC and doubled the tally through Jumanu Rai in the 32nd minute. Rai dribbled past as many as three defenders after collecting a superb pass from Arjun Rijal before firing home a brilliant goal. After taking the lemon tea break, MPC didn’t play aggressive and was satisfied with the half-time margin.
In another match played at same venue, MFC came from behind to lock horns with JYC. AM Michael of MFC put the Red Lions ahead in the 9th minute off the pass of Deepak Rai. A mistake by MFC resulted in an JYC equalizer goal through Doran Serchan. Serchan scored through his jumping header utilizing the cross off Prabeen Manandhar.
The lemon break refreshed the JYC team as they took a lead in the first minute through Dipesh Thapa. But MFC restored parity in the 71st minute through Azad Pradhan. Pradhan utilized his perfect left footed shot that easily went past the goalie kissing the roof of the net.
Elsewhere at Halchowk Stadium, Friends Club collected some hopes to avoid relegation with a comprehensive 3-1 win against Mahabir Club. Sishir Adhikari put FC ahead in the 10th minute but Nigerian recruit Chikwa Akushie drew blood for MC in the 35th minute to level the score.
After the interval, FC pressed their front line with new Nigerian signing Felix Akiojano and doubled the tally in the 70th minute through Rabin Byanjankar. Finally, Felix put the issue beyond the doubt when he found third in the 86th minute.
‘Header king’ back to the green
‘Header King’ Dev Narayan Chowdhary has come back to green after the MPC side lacked strong players in its reserve bench. “It is my pleasure to play for MPC again,” Chowdhary, who had retired from MPC told Nepalnews.
“I have spent glorious days in MPC and I don’t want to neglect when my seniors calling me back to play,” he added. Chowdhary entered the ground in the 82nd minute and got chance to touch the ball thrice and created one move for Bhola Silwal, which he wasted shooting wide off the target.
“Now, I am back to score and to uplift the image of Mahendra Police Club,” he said proudly. But, unfortunately, he sports number 48 instead of his famous number 7 on his back.