KATHMANDU, FEB 18 -
Machhindra Football Club (MFC) thumped leaders Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) 4-0 in the Martyrs Memorial A Division League here at the Dashrath Stadium on Monday.
An own goal from Sujal Shrestha opened the scoring for MFC while midfielder Sushil KC’s brace and leading scorer Karna Limbu’s goal in the second-half completed the MMC drubbing.
MFC climbed to third in the points table with the comprehensive win on 25 points from 14 games, four behind MMC. The result provides second-placed Nepal Police Club (26) and defending champions Three Star Club (25) more room to stake their claims for title.
MFC took the lead in unlikely fashion in the 26th minute when custodian Bishal Shrestha and Sujal Shrestha both rushed to receive a Sagar Thapa pass inside the area only to see make-shift left-back needlessly head the ball back opposite his goalkeeper and into the net.
To add to the MMC misery, they resumed the second half without injured Yona Elias and suffered another major blow when Limbu doubled MFC lead with his ninth goal of the league, coolly guiding the ball past goalkeeper Bishal in the 52nd minute.
A sublime strike from KC then made the score 3-0 when the midfielder cleverly cut in from the right flank and fired a powerful left-footed strike into the roof of the net in 55th minute. KC compounded the MMC misery even further slotting in from close range after the ball rebounded off the cross bar from Chrisope Essome’s powerful strike in the 71st minute.
MFC’s Swedish Coach Johan Kalin he was not anticipating such a comprehensive victory. “We played for the three points for sure, but we were not expecting a 4-0 scoreline against the league leaders,” said Kalin. “Every player followed our game plan and we did well to convert our chances. Now we want to take maximum points from our remaining matches and finish as high as possible,” added Kalin.
MMC coach Hari Om Shrestha criticised his team’s weak defending and said that his team may not win the league if they do not improve defense. “I do not think we are going to win the title if we continue defending as poorly as we did today. We were outplayed in every department but the players must learn from their mistakes quickly,” said Shrestha.
Posted on: 2014-02-18 08:46
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