Machhindra FC (MFC) broke Mahendra Police Club’s (MPC) 25 league matches winning streak with an impressive 2-0 victory while Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) beat Gyanendra Armed Police Force (APF) 2-1 in the ANFA Martyrs Memorial “A” Division League Football Tournament matches played today.
In the MFC versus MPC match at Dashrath stadium, Gudiya Rai scored the opener capitalizing on the error by Tika Karki in the mid-line, well grabbed by Rai before firing home a brilliant goal. Then Nigerian recruit AM Michael scored the 2nd goal for MFC in the 77th minute sealing the win. Michael scored utilizing the cross off Bikash Subba from right flank leaving MPC defenders stranded.
The Red Lions (MFC) lost 5-0 to MPC at the start of season. They have started the second leg in a notable way as they locked horns with MMC and suffered a last minute loss to TAC. The historic victory saw MFC going to 11th position.
“I am very happy today,” MFC coach Diken Suwal told reporters. He further added, “My boys labored hard to down MPC’s vigor”. Despondent coach of MPC Yogamber Suwal said, “This is an upset result for us and none of players could meet their par excellence”. Suwal even fielded injured Ananta Thapa and experienced Raju Pulami to change the results but got nothing in return.
The win came as the greatest victory in the history of the Tebahal side. The victory resulted in MFC leapfrogging Friends Club, Mahabir Club, Boys Union and Boudha FC in the standings.
In the other match played at Dashrath stadium, TAC beat APF 2-1 to go atop the table with 44 points after playing 19 matches in the league leapfrogging MMC and NTSC.
The match was excellent from the start with both teams neck-to-neck. Lanky Ram Kumar Biswash of TAC utilized his height advantage to score an opener in the 27th minute. Biswash deftly fired an excellent header off Shiva Chowdhary’s corner kick. But the joy did not last long as APF restored parity within one minute through Mani Pundit. Pundit brilliantly flicked the ball coming from right flank off stand-in captain Ganesh Lawati.
After the lemon break, the match was slower compared to the first half and both teams couldn’t create many goal scoring chances. But Chakra Tamang struck match-winning goal in the 52nd minute through his left footed lofted shot that saw lanky APF goalie Samit Rajbhandari stranded.