Machhindra beat Paro FC to march into Stage 2

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 9: Nepal’s two-time first-division league champions Machhindra FC recorded a narrow 3-2 win over Bhutan’s league champions Paro FC to advance into the South Zone Preliminary Stage 2 of the AFC Cup at Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu on Tuesday evening.

Bimal Gharti Magar, Ayush Ghalan and Olawale Afeez scored one goal each to help Machhindra bag a victory in Stage 1 for the first time. The runners-up of Martyr’s Memorial A Division League 2023 conceded an own goal and Evans Assante scored one for Paro. 

In their second appearance, Machhindra succeeds to qualify for stage 2. White Lion’s first appearance in the AFC Cup ended with a loss to Sri Lanka’s Blue Star at Dashrath Stadium in 2022. The historical win fixed the date with India’s Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Stage 2 in Kolkata on August 16. 

The victor of Stage 2 will proceed to take on either Abahani Limited Dhaka of Bangladesh or Club Eagles of the Maldives in the South Zone Playoff on August 22. The winner of the playoff will qualify for the group stage of the AFC Cup 2023/24.

Bhutani league champions took the lead in the eighth minute of the game at Dashrath Stadium. Yeshi Dorji provided a ball from the left side of the area to Japanese forward Kazuo Homma, whose shot kissed the back of Machhindra’s net. Goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha tried to save the Homma’s shot, but it hit his hand before entering the post.

Machhindra bounced back in the match with an equalizer five minutes later. National team striker Bimal Gharti Magar restored the parity as he sprang up to nod home the cross ball off Ayush Ghalan in the 12th minute. 

Three minutes later, Machhindra took the lead following a strike from winger Ghalan. Magar and Ghalan once again combined to score the goal for the host. Ghalan scored a stunning goal in the first touch on a pass arranged by Magar from inside the area. 

Machhindra extended the advantage in the 39th minute. 

Omolaja Kareem, Ghalan, and Olawale Afeez were involved in the third goal. Ghalan provided a through ball to Kareem and the centre-back crossed it from the right wing to Afeez, who headed it into the opponent’s post. 

After the interval, charged-up Paro intensified their attack and gave some scares to the host. The resilient defence from Machhindra succeeds to thwart Paro’s attempts. Keeper Shrestha foiled the attempt of Dorji in the 58th minute. 

Paro cut the deficit in the second half as Evan Assante found the back of the net of Machhindra in the 71st minute.  Shrestha again came to the rescue of his team in the 90th minute as he stretched right to ward off Homma’s strike from close range. 

Macchindra could have added two more goals in the wee hour but forward Magar squandered the open chances and the match ended in a 3-2 score.