Jawalakhel stun title holders Machhindra 3-1

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 6: Jawalakhel Youth Club stunned defending champions Machhindra FC 3-1 to make a winning start at the Martyr’s Memorial A Division League on Sunday.

Hisub Thapaliya, Nkoto S. Masobi and Captain Simant Thapa netted one goal apiece to steal three points from Machhindra.

Coach Prabesh Katuwal said the busy schedule hit Machhindra with injuries, which cost the defending champions the first match. “We have played a lot of matches before the first division league. Many of our players sustained injuries. Most of our starters are hit with injuries. Devendra, today’s scorer also substituted due to injury. Sujal Shrestha, Dayanand, Nia and others are missed due to the injuries.” 

Devendra Tamang put the White Lions ahead from the free kick in the 23rd minute. Tamang was substituted before half after sustaining an injury. 

Machhindra, however, squandered its lead in the second half conceding three goals to make a sorry start to its title defence. 

Jawalakhel bounced back in the game finding three goals in the space of 20 minutes. Hisubh Thapaliya restored the parity for the Jawalakhel in the 59th minute.  He scored a stunning goal from inside the box utilizing the acute assist from Fode Fofana.

Nkoto doubled the advantage in the 64th minute taking an advantage of a howler from Machhindra shot-stopper Bishal Shrestha.

Skipper Thapa headed Jawalakhel home in the 76th minute. He nodded a free kick ball off Hisub into the White Lions’ post to give his team a famous win. 

After the victory Coach Sunil Shrestha said his team played as a team in the second half. “Our foreign players settled and it helped us to bag a win today. Moreover, our young players played confidently and proved the defending champions could be also beaten.” 

Army, Sankata share spoils

Earlier, Tribhuvan Army FC and Sankata FC settled for a goalless stalemate at Dasarath Stadium to share one point each.  

After a goalless draw, Army's assistant coach Raju Tamang blamed players for not playing according to the strategy.  "Players failed to perform as per the strategy we made for Sankata. I am hopeful they will do better in upcoming matches. We have to improve our weakness." 

Addressing the post-match conference, Sankata Coach Salyan Khadgi was delighted to steal a point from the physically and mentally sound Army.

"We created lots of scoring chances but we failed to convert them. I am, however, glad to earn a single point.” Khadgi also informed Aayush Ghalan will be joining Sankata in the next match.  

Satdobato win Elsewhere, Satdobato Youth Club also started the top-tier league with a 2-1 win over New Road Team (NRT) 2-1 at Chyasal Stadium, Lalitpur.  

A brace from Dipak Raj Thakuri earned Satdobato three points.  Thakuri put Satdobato in front in the 45th minute. NRT equalized the score line in the stoppage time (45+5’) of the first half.   Nicolas Serge Song restored the parity for NRT. 

Winger Thakuri killed the match for Satdobato six minutes before the final whistle. Satdobato Coach Sanoj Shrestha expressed his happiness for the victory. “We should have scored more looking at the opportunities we got. Thakuri played well today by keeping NRT in trouble. Substitutes also gave their best in the second half. Overall we played well today.”