By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – APF fought back from a goal down to register a 3-1 win over Manang Marshyangdi Club in their Qatar Airways Martyrs Memorial A Division League match on Thursday.
Ashish Lama, Mani Kumar Lama and captain Navin Lama scored the goals for APF. Likewise, MMC skipper Anjan Bista had scored a lone goal for the club.
During the match held at Tripureshwar-based Dasharath Stadium, APF’s goalkeeper Yuya Kuriyama had punched a shot from Pujan Uparkoti in the 22nd minute. He also denied a shot from Adeleza Somidy with a diving save 12 minutes later preventing MMC from taking the lead.
However, MMC’s persistence paid off when skipper scored the goal in the 37th minute in a long pass from goalkeeper Bishal Sunar. He scored a header as APF goalkeeper Kuriyama had moved ahead leaving the post unattended.
MMC’s joy was short-lived as Aashish Lama hit back an equalizer three minutes later. He beat defender Narendra Chaudhary and scored the goal after receiving a pass from skipper Navin Lama.
APF took a 2-1 lead in the 81st minute as substitute Mani Kumar Lama scored the second goal for the departmental team. Five minutes later, Skipper Lama added another goal to make the score 3-1. Navin Lama scored the goal in a rebound hit by Aashish Lama.
MMC were under pressure after Afeez Olawa Oladipo had to leave the pitch due to an injury in the first minute of the match. MMC’s attack became toothless in the absence of Olawa.
With this victory, APF have moved out of the relegation zone. APF have 14 points from 11 matches are have climbed to the 8th position in the league. MMC are second with 20 points from 11 matches.
