Three Star held, Sankata won

2014-01-14
Himalayan Sherpa Club (HSC) failed to protect the lead twice to play an exciting 2-2 draw against defending champions Three Star Club (TSC) during the Martyrs Memorial Red Bull A Division League here on 2014-01-14 at Dasarath Stadium.

In the first match Segun Akinade and Laxman Ruchal scored for HSC in the 16th and 50th minute respectively and Santosh Shahukhala and Sabindra Shrestha equalized for defending champion in the 45+4 minute and 53rd minute respectively.  Sherpa’s African recruit Segun Akindade scored for Sherpa through a beautiful free kick which stunned goalie Kiran Chemjong and his defense. Three Star looked dumb in this match after they conceded early goal they were busy to man handled Sherpa’s player. Sherpa continue to go front and Pukar Gahatraj kick was nicely saved by Three Star’s goalie Kiran Chemjong in the 20th minute of the match. Jagjeet Shrestha’s free kick in the 25th minute of the match was well cleared by Sherpa’s defense; Three star was again upset when Nirajan Khadka’s brilliant shot was beautifully punched by Sherpa’s goalie Binaya Shrestha in the 29th minute of the match. Goalie Shrestha was again tested in the 36th minute of the match when he punched Jagjeet Shrestha’s free kick. Finally Three Star level the score in injury time of first half (45+4) minute when star player Santosh Sahukhala scored for TSC utilizing a good pass from Jagjeet Shrestha. HSC again took a lead in 50th minute of the match when Laxman Ruchal’s header kissed the net but they failed to hold the game and they again concede goal  in the 53rd minute of the match and Sabindra Shrestha scored for TSC to make score 2-2. HSC’s goalie Binaya Shrestha was injured and was replaced by Sagar Gurung in the 55th minute of the match. After the equal score both teams played slow game and created just few chances. With this draw both teams share 1 point. Defending champion Three Star have 7points from five matches and HSC have 5 points from five matches. Three Star Coach Anjan KC told us that the draw was a huge setback in their bid to defend the title.

In the second match at the Dashrath Stadium, second half goals from Krishna Shakya and Nishan Limbu saw Sankata Club defeat Saraswoti Youth Club (SYC)  2-0. Shakya scored in the 68th minute of the match and Limbu scored in the 73rd minute of the match. First half ended goalless draw. Both played good attacking football in the first half. Rajeev Gurung’s pass was wasted by goal scorer in the 13th minute of the match. SYC’s goalie Lucky Karki saved fantastic ball in the 18th minute of the match. Both teams have equal strength in terms of African players and they are much depended on them. In the second half   Krishna Shakya scored who utilized a good pass from African recruit Olwale and Nishan Limbu double the tally in the 73rd minute who utilized good pass from Rajeev Gurung. With this win Sankata have   8 points from five matches and SYC have 4 points from equal matches.