Machhindra beat Brigade Boys to make winning start
Lalitpur, December 14
Machhindra Football Club defeated Brigade Boys Club 2-0 in the opening match of the Qatar Airways Martyrs Memorial A Division League at the ANFA Complex grounds today.
Yogesh Gurung and Deepak Rai scored a goal each for Machhindra in a match which was shifted to ANFA Complex grounds because of the wet pitch at the Dasharath Stadium.
Gurung opened the scoring in rebound in the 30th minute when he headed home from close after Rai struck against the crossbar in a free kick. Machhindra doubled the tally in the 49th minute after Rai slammed home from the penalty box leaving BBC goalkeeper Bishal Sunar stranded.
Earlier, Machhindra came close to scoring in the 14th minute but Ranjit Dhimal’s ended up with wide shot, while he was unlucky five minutes later as his free kick from just outside the box rebounded after hitting the post.
In a rare move from BBC, skipper Anil Gurung saw his shot blocked by Machhindra defense line in the 28th minute.
BBC created two chances in the second half. Former national team skipper Gurung shot wide off the target before Machhindra goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha made a brilliant punch to deny Jay Gurung in the 88th minute.
Bishal Rai of Machhindra was named the man of the match and he earned Rs 10,000.
Machhindra earned three points for the win but they had a point deducted as per their standing in previous league.
Machhindra had finished 13th in the 14-team league which was held without the relegation provision. ANFA had imposed the provisions of point deduction and monetary penalty for the bottom teams.
A total of 14 clubs — defending champions Manang Marshyangdi Club, Three Star Club, Jawalakhel Youth Club, Chyasal Youth Club, Friends Club, Brigade Boys Club, Tribhuvan Army Club, Nepal Police Club, Nepal APF Club, Saraswoti Youth Club, Himalayan Sherpa Club, Sankata Club, Machhindra Football Club and New Road Team — are taking part in the league.
The bottom team after the round robin tournament will be relegated. Top three teams after the round robin league will receive five million rupees, Rs 3.5 million and Rs 2.5 million. Likewise, fourth to sixth placed clubs will get Rs 1.5 million, Rs 700,000 and Rs 500,000 respectively. One club will receive Rs 100,000 along with Fair Play award.
The participating clubs will get two million rupees each as preparation money, while the winning team will receive Rs 50,000 as match money.
Similarly, the best five individuals — striker, midfielder, defender, goalkeeper and coach — will be awarded with Rs 150,000 each, while the man-of-the-match in each game will earn Rs 10,000.
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