Kathmandu: Defending champions Machhindra Football Club overcame Jawalakhel 2-0 at the ongoing Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League at Dasharath Rangashala on Wednesday. Simanta Thapa’s own goal and Ranjit Dhimal’s strike gave Machhindra a comfortable victory.
The game, which had a tepid beginning, took an unexpected turn at the 14th minute when Thapa scored on his own net.
The game gained momentum after then. In the 19th minute, Jawalakhel striker Onguna Junior’s strike that found the back of the net was ruled offside.
Machhindra added another goal in the 21st minute, extending the lead, through defender Dhimal’s shot from around 25 yards off the post.
Despite conceding two early goals, Jawalakhel did not lose confidence. They created some remarkable chances in the first half. In the 33rd minute, Loic Kouahim’s ace cross pass from outside the penalty box was wasted, with no one to receive it. At the additional time of the first half, Nicholas Fernandes’s shot from inside the penalty box went flying over the post.
The second half of the match was a dry affair. There was no goal and no notable chance, except, in the 73rd minute, Jawalakhel goalie Tikendra Singh Thapa made a heroic save to deny Omolaja Kareem’s freekick from outside the penalty box.
With the victory, Macchindra now has seven points and stands at second position in the league table, a significant progress for the team from their earlier sixth position. Jawalakhel continues to languish in the relegation zone, ranked 13th. The team has lost all of the games it has played so far, and is yet to open the score sheet.
Speaking at the post-match event, Machhindra coach, Prabesh Katuwal, said he was happy to win against a “strong team” like Jawalakhel.
Jawalakhel coach, Kishor Kumar KC, put the blame on the goalkeeper. “The boys played well enough,” he said, “but the two big mistakes by our goalie cost us dearly. I am disappointed with the goal keeper.”
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