NRT bounce back to beat Khumaltar 3-2

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 13: New Road Team (NRT) came back from two goals down to beat FC Khumaltar 3-2 and revived its survival hopes while Nepal Police Club (NPC) also registered a 2-1 victory over Sankata Club to get out of the relegation zone in the Martyr’s Memorial A Division on Friday.

NRT rose to the middle of the table in ninth place with a dramatic win over another relegation favourite Khumaltar at Dasharath Stadium.

NRT has 21 points from 17 matches while Khumaltar remained at the bottom of the league standing with 17 points. Though NRT climbed up to mid-table, it is just two points above the relegation zone. 

NRT, which registered a 3-1 comfortable victory over Khumaltar in the first leg, struggled against Lalitpur’s outfit today. Captain Bikram Dhimal, Lal Numzama, and Nicolas Song scored one goal apiece in the fifth win of NRT.

Samir Binong and Rajiv Lopchan netted one goal each for victim Khumaltar.

Binong put Khumaltar in front in the 31st minute after beating defenders and scoring from a six-yard box in one-to-one against NRT Keeper.

Lopchan doubled the tally for Khumaltar in the 39th minute. NRT, however, made a heroic comeback in the second half by scoring three goals.

NRT cut the deficit through a header from skipper Dhimal. Defender Dhimal’s header kissed the net hitting the gloves of the keeper in the 63rd minute.

Unmarked Nunzama levelled the score 2-2 for NRT in the 64th minute. He scored in the rebound ball after Nicolas Song’s powerful strike was warded off by Khumaltar goalie Dev Limbu.

Song sealed the match for the winning side in the 82nd minute utilising the gap between two defenders.

Police beat Sankata

The fifth win in a league moved NPC to the safe zone with 19 points from 17 matches. Sankata, which overcame the Police by 3-0 in the first leg, is unmoved in 10th place with 20 points. 

Moises Twun and Muhammed Ashiq netted one goal apiece in the revenge of the Police. Nishan Khadka scored a consolation goal for Sankata Club.

Moises Twun put NPC ahead in eight minutes. He scored a fine head goal connecting the cross off Ahmad Hijazi.

Khadka levelled the score at 1-1 for Sankata in the 23rd minute after his 25-yard free-kick directly kissed the back of the Police’s net.

Ashiq sealed the match for the winning side in the 78th minute for the relegation-threatened Police. He scored in a resulting rebound after his first shot hit the bar.

Manang, Sherpa play draw Elsewhere, Himalayan Sherpa Club and Manang Marsyangdi settled to a 1-1 draw at ANFA Complex, Lalitpur.

Eight-time league champion Manang is almost out of the title race. Manang is nine points behind the league leader Jawalakhel Youth Club. Manang is in eighth position with 21 points.  Himalayan Sherpa also has 21 points but trails behind in ninth position. 

Their first leg match also ended in a 1-1 draw.

Niranjan Dhami put  Manang ahead in the 14th minute but Himalayan Sherpa’s Abayoni Fakunle cancelled it out in the 36th minute.