Friends Club two points above relegation

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 9: Friends Club eased past FC Khumaltar 3-1 to move up to the safe zone while Nepal Police Club continued its stay at the drop zone despite holding Manang Marsyangdi Club to a 2-2 draw at the Martyr's Memorial 'A' Division League on Monday.

The fifth win from 16 matches helped Friends climb to the ninth position with 19 points. Khumaltar dropped to the relegation zone in 13th place with 17 points. Sankata Club and New Road Team also have similar 17 points but avoid the drop zone in better goal difference. 

At Chyasal Stadium, Rafiq Aminu netted a brace and Santosh Khatri scored in the win of Friends Club.  

Khumaltar failed to emulate its 1-0 first-leg win over Friends as its only goal today came from Messouke Oloumou.  Rafiq opened an account for Friends in the fourth minute and doubled the tally for Friends Club in the 16th minute. 

Messouke cut the deficit for Khumaltar in the 67th minute with his 13th goal of the league. The goal strengthened his top position on the scorer’s chart. 

With today’s brace, Rafiq also took his goal tally to ten. Olawale Afeez of Machhindra FC, Dipak Singh Thakuri of Satdobato Youth Club and Nkoto Synous Masoabi of Jawalakhel Youth Club also have ten goals in their kitty.   

Khatri sealed the match for the winning side in the 78th minute.

Police hold Manang

Twin goals from Ahmad Hijazi helped the Police steal the point from eight-time league champions Manang at ANFA Complex. The draw, however, could not lead the Police to safety. Police Club sits at the bottom of the standings with 16 points from four wins, four draws and eight defeats.

After sharing a point, Manang stays in the mid-table at 7th place with 20 points from 16 matches. Himalayan Sherpa Club also has 20 points with one game in hand.   

Roshan Rana Magar and Sayidjamol Davlatjonov scored for the domestic powerhouse Manang. Hijazi put Police ahead in the 16th minute with his one-touch strike from the box to the acute cross off Moses Gyabaah Twum. 

Magar levelled the score for Manang in the 33rd minute as his powerful strike directly kissed the net. The powerful strike of Sayidjamol made the score line 2-1 in the 44th minute as Manang went closer to its revenge over Police of its 1-0 defeat during the first leg match. 

Hijazi, however, came to the rescue of the Police by equalizing the tally in the 71st minute. His stunning close-range goal from the assist of Ravi Paswan denied Manang from taking revenge.