Machhindra secure second place

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 8: Olawale Afeez scored a brace as Machhindra FC humbled Himalayan Sherpa Club 3-1 and confirmed the second spot at the Martyr’s Memorial A Division League on Wednesday. 

After its dream to clinch the hat-trick of league titles was shattered by Church Boys United, Machhindra has to satisfy itself as runners-up this season. 

Along with Afeez’s two goals, Bimal Gharti Magar also added one in the 11th victory of the former champions. Pistone Mutamba scored a consolation goal for the Mountaineers.  

The White Lions amassed 42 points off 25 matches to secure second place and close the gap with league champions Church Boys by three points. Third-placed Nepal Police Club has 38 points. 

Himalayan Sherpa dropped to the ninth position with 31 points.  

National team striker Bimal Gharti Magar put Machhindra ahead as he headed home the pass off Pujan Uparkoti in the 26th minute.

Afeez doubled the advantage in the 68th minute. He headed the cross ball provided by Yuta Suzuki from the right wing. Nine minutes later, Afeez trebled the lead from a spot kick. 

Referee Umesh Bidari awarded Machhindra a penalty after Abayomi Fakunle brought Afeez down inside the box. Afeez did not make any mistake to score his 21st goal of the league. 

He scored 21 goals from 21 matches to top the scorer’s chart. 

With 18 goals from 22 matches, Messouke Olomou of FC Khumaltar trails behind Afeez. 

The match got an ugly turn in the last 10 minutes as both teams got reduced to 10 players. 

Machhindra’s shot-stopper Bishal Shrestha was given a marching order after his foul over Fakunle in a one-to-one situation. Referee Bidari first gave a yellow card to the Machhindra’s keeper but after the protest from Himalayan Sherpa players, he flashed a red card. Players of both teams were involved in the altercation after the decision. Sherpa’s Nishan Limbu manhandled opposition players only to get a red card. 

Pistone scored a consolation goal from a resulting free-kick in the 90th minute. 

Elsewhere, New Road Team edged Manang Marsyangdi Club 1-0 to rise to the sixth position. 

A 17th-minute goal from Dipesh Ale was enough for NRT to secure its eighth win in the league. With 33 points NRT elevated to sixth place. Manang dropped to seventh place with 32 points.  

In the relegation battle, Friends Club squandered its one-goal lead to settle for a 1-1 draw against Sankata Club at Dasharath Stadium on Wednesday evening. 

The draw almost ensured the relegation of Friends, which sits at the bottom of the table with 27 points. Sankata moved to the 10th position with 31 points to avoid relegation. 

Skipper Torric Jebrin gave Friends the lead in the 53rd minute but Junior Nkengue cancelled it out for Sankata in the 70th minute.