By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Dec 27 : A brace from Uttam Rai moved Sankata Club to the third position at the Martyr’s Memorial A Division League after registering a 3-0 comfortable victory over Brigade Boys Club in a one-sided affair at Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu on Sunday.

Along with Rai, Laxman Ruchal also found a net for Sankata Club.

The win moved Sankata to the third spot with 12 points. They have one point less than leader Machhindra Football Club, who beat Manang Marsyangdi Club on Saturday to move atop in the league standings. Being superior in goal difference, Manang, who equals the points with Sankata, occupy the second position.

Brigade Boys Club remained at the 11th spot with five points.

Rai put Sankata ahead in the 13th minute as his acute header to the ball off Jordan Junior Owona from inside the box found the net. He doubled the tally in the 28th minute in Fode Fofana’s pass.

Ruchal extended the tally 3-0 for Sankata in the 38th minute. Ruchal found the unclear ball off defender Randip Poudel and took advantage of out-of-position goalie Purna Limbu Chemjong to seal the match for Sankata.

Sankata’s Coach Bishnu Gurung said that the victory over Brigade helped in their aim to remain at the top three positions in the league. Gurung, however, remained cautious for the remaining match. “The performance against Brigade will be not enough for upcoming matches.”

Brigade’s Coach Sanoj Shrestha blamed his players for losing momentum against Sankata after conceding an early goal. “We faced all three goals in our own mistakes. The loss has put us under huge pressure. We have to earn three points to avoid the relegation,” Coach Shrestha said.

Satdobato Youth Club will encounter Jawalakhel Youth Club on Monday.
Draw dents Army’s title race

Tribhuvan Army Football Club’s dream to win the title got hit after sharing a point with Three Star Club with a goalless draw in the second match at Dasarath Stadium.
Army collected ten points to stay at the fourth position. Three Star also moved to the seventh spot from seven points.

Runner-up of the last edition Army also crashed out from the race of booking the place in the AFC Cup. The club finishing at the top at the end of the seventh round will represent Nepal at AFC Cup.

Army failed to score in the 23rd minute after Santosh Tamang’s powerful strike from the box was blocked by Three Star goalie Priso Njanga.

Bikesh Kuthu made a diving save to foil the Three Star Club’s forward Shem Marton Eugene from scoring in the 30th minute.

The army again squandered a chane as their defender Youdha Shahi’s close-range header rebounded from the pole. He headed the long-range free kick off Bikash Tamang in the 36th minute.

Jagajeet Shrestha of Tribhuvan Army Football Club was declared Man of the match and his teammate Dinesh Hemjan was declared Emerging Player of the Match.

Army coach Nabin Neupane blamed his players’ poor finishing in the draw against Three Star.

“We created a couple of scoring chances in the first half but we failed on finishing. My players completed their task but we were toothless.”

“Now Army has only one option to win all seven remaining matches to remain in the title contention”, Coach Neupane added.

Three Star Coach Urjen Shrestha said that the match against Army was tough. “Our performance is improving day by day. We are planning to recruit a foreign player for the next matches.”