Three Star extend lead on top

KATHMANDU, JAN 19 -

Leaders Three Star Club were all but assured top spot in the first round of the Red Bull Martyrs’ Memorial ‘A’ Division League after their 3-0 win over Sankata Club while Iceberg Madhyapur Youth Association boosted their chances of survival  with a 1-0 victory over fellow relegation strugglers Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club on Friday.

With only one game to be played in the first round, the Patan based club are assured of going in to the second round as table toppers for it will take a herculean effort from any other club to dethrone them from the top. The only club with a realistic chance of doing so are third placed Machhindra FC, who themselves are through to the next round and have two matches in hand.  

Machhindra will have to score an unprecedented 17 goals or more in their remaining matches while hoping that Three Star taste defeat in their final match.

After the keenly contested first half, Three Star went all out on the attack in the second half with Santosh Shahukhala, Adewumi Femi and Bishnu Gurung finding the target, taking their undefeated run to eight games.

“We have a realistic hope about winning against arch rivals Manang Marshyangdi on Sunday,” said Humagain when asked about their upcoming match.

“Our morale is high. We will give everything to win against Manang. A win against a such a formidable team will give us enough confidence to go the distance and clinch the championship.”

Shahukhala broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, dispatching a side-foot volley from close range after he was spotted by Femi with a perfect cross from the left.

Femi doubled their advantage in the 83rd minute, nudging in a glancing header from point blank range following Biraj Maharjan’s corner, right after Sankata has replaced their first choice goalie, Pierre Hearver with Dipesh Yadav.

As the game was nearing its end, substitute Gurung sealed victory for Three Star, scoring a spectacular goal from 25-yards.

Earlier in the day, prime relegation candidates Madhyapur, who came into the game in a must win situation, piled on the uncertainty upon Jawalakhel after Devis’s all important goal two minutes from time sealed victory.

Jawalakhel stand at 13th place on 14 points, one point advantage over Madhyapur.

Both clubs fate will be decided in their respective final matches.

Jawalakhel coach Kishore KC said that the relegation scare has mounted but he was confident about surviving while his counterpart, Upendra Man Singh applauded the spirit shown by his players for gaining victory.

“We can still make it happen,” he said.