Machhindra join title race with victory over APF

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 8: Defending champions Machhindra FC kept its hopes of title defence alive following a 2-1 victory over APF Football Club while a 1-1 draw against Tribhuvan Army Football Club helped Sankata Club move to the safe zone at Martyr’s Memorial A Division League on Sunday.

A last-gasp goal from Olawale Afeez elevated Machhindra to fourth place equaling the points with second-placed Jawalakhel Youth Club and third-placed Three Star Club. 

Machhindra, which amassed 24 points from its sixth victory in the league, lagged in goal difference. After the end of 15 round matches, Church Boys United leads the table with 27 points.  

Along with Afeez, Omolaja Nurain Kareem also scored in the victory of the Machhindra at Dasarath Stadium today. 

Armand Beadoum gave APF a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute but the departmental side failed to protect the advantage and conceded two goals for its sixth loss. APF sits in ninth position with 19 points. 

Beadoum scored from the tight angle of the crowded six-yard box connecting the pass off Bike Tamang.

Kareem levelled the score for Machhindra in the dying minute of the first half through a free kick. His stunning free-kick goal from a 25-yard distance directly kissed the back of APF's net.

FIFA referee Prakash Nath Shrestha rewarded a free kick to Machhindra after APF's skipper Nabin Lama fouled Andres Nia.

Olawale put Machhindra back in the title race as he settled the match in favour of the White Lions in the dying minute. He scored from outside of the box for his 10th goal of the league. He is just two goals shy from the league’s top scorer Messouke Olomou of FC Khumaltar.  Messouke has 12 goals from 15 matches. Olawale scored ten from 11 matches. 

Dipak Singh of Satdobato Youth Club and Nkoto Synous Masoabi of Jawalakhel also have scored ten goals from 15 matches so far in the league. 

Youssef rescues Sankata

A late goal from Youssef Atriss rescued Sankata from defeat at the hands of the Tribhuvan Army at ANFA Complex, Lalitpur.

The draw lifted Sankata to safety at the 10th position with 17 points. Sankata bettered New Road Team and Khumaltar, who also have similar 17 points, in goal differences. 

Friends Club with 16 points and Nepal Police Club with 15 points enjoys the relegation zone trailing respectively at 13th and 14th position.

National team striker Bharat Khawas put the Army ahead in the 18th minute. Atriss stole points from the Army after cancelling out Khawas’s goal in the dying minute of the match.The Army Club is unmoved at the sixth position with 21 points.