football

By a Staff Reporter Kathmandu - Manang Marshyangdi Club have emerged as a strong contender to participate in the AFC Cup qualifiers after defeating Nepal Police Club 3-1 at Pokhara Stadium during their Qatar Airways Martyrs Memorial A Division League match on Saturday. With the victory, MMC have climbed atop the points table. The top team after completion of the seventh round matches will feature in the AFC Cup qualifiers. The outcomes of the next two rounds of matches will decide which team will get the opportunity to participate in the qualifiers. MMC took advantage of the stalemate of other contenders including defending champions Machhindra FC and Tribhuvan Army Football Club. Both the teams played draws in separate matches a day earlier. Now, MMC are ahead of other three...

Agencies Substitute Nico Gonzalez scored a late winner as Barcelona edged past Elche 3-2 in La Liga to end their three-game winless run in all competitions. According to media reports, Ferran Jutgla headed in an opener for the hosts after 16 minutes before 17-year-old Gavi grabbed his first La Liga goal with a superb solo effort. Substitutes Tete Morente and Pere Milla then stunned the hosts as Elche scored twice in as many minutes to draw level, BBC reported. However, Gonzalez poked into the top corner five minutes from time to win the match. The result means Xavi's side sit seventh, three points off a Champions League spot and 15 behind leaders Real Madrid.

Agencies Two goals from Gabriel Martinelli helped Arsenal sweep past an injury-hit Leeds 4-1 at Elland Road to secure their third successive Premier League victory on Saturday. According to the BBC, Martinelli's double and Bukayo Saka's deflected effort made it 3-0 before half-time as the Gunners ruthlessly capitalised on an error-strewn Leeds performance. Raphinha pulled one back from the penalty spot in the second half, before Arsenal substitute Emile Smith Rowe wrapped up an emphatic victory for Mikel Arteta's side late on. The scoreline could have been greater but for an impressive performance by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who made fine stops to deny Saka, Alexandre Lacazette, Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney.

By a Staff Reporter Kathmandu - Leaders Machhindra Football Club played a goalless draw against Sankata Club to share the spoils in their Qatar Airways Martyrs Memorial  A Division League football match on  Friday. During the competitive match held at the Dashrath Stadium, the two teams shared points after missing several opportunities to score goal. Sankata missed a golden chance to take the lead in the first minute as Fede Fofana’s attempt to score was foiled by Machhindra’s goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha in a one versus one situation. Jaya Gurung had fed the ball to Fofana but goalkeeper Shrestha moved forward to stop the ball. On the other side, Sankata’s goalkeeper Raja Babu Thapa punched a corner kick of Sunil Bal in the 21st minute. Likewise, a cross from Ranjit Dhimal ...

By a Staff Reporter Kathmandu - Tribhuvan Army Football Club blew up their lead to settle for a 1-1 draw against Satdobato Youth Club during their Qatar Airways Martyrs Memorial A Division League football match on Friday. Army had taken an early lead in the 10th minute with a goal from Dinesh Henjan in the match held at the Dasharath Stadium. However, Ajayi Martins hit back an equalizer in the 16th minute to make the score 1-1. Martins received a long pass from goalkeeper Abhishek Baral in the penalty box and beat defender Bimal Pandey to score the goal. In the 21st minute, Baral punched a shot from Tek Bahadur Budhathoki to prevent Army from taking the lead. Another notable move came in the 66th minute when a free header by Aaditya Shakya in a pass from Captain Man...

By a Staff Reporter Kathmandu - The next three rounds of matches under the Qatar Airways Martyrs Memorial A Division League are expected to be quite interesting. The reason is that one of the top teams among the four that have acquired AFC Club License will feature in the AFC Cup qualifies after the completion of the seventh round of matches. Out of the four clubs that have acquired license, three including Machhindra Football Club, Manang Marshayangi Club and Tribhuvan Army Club are among the top three clubs in the points table. Machhindra sit atop the standings with 10 points followed by Manang and Army. Another licensed club, APF, lies on the rock bottom with just one point and are out of contention for the qualifiers. For APF, their struggle to avoid relegation is more im...

By a Staff Reporter Kathmandu - The U-19 women’s football team of Nepal have registered a thumping win over Sri Lanka in the SAFF U-19 Women’s Football Championship on Wednesday. Nepal registered their first win in the championship with a 6-0 rout of Sri Lanka. Prior to this, Nepal had played a goalless draw against the hosts Bangladesh. During Wednesday’s match held at the Bir Srestho Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka, Rashmi Kumari  Ghising scored a brace while Sabita Rana Magar, Menuka Ale Magar, Rajani  Thoker and Saloni Rana  Magar were also on target Nepal took the lead in the fifth minute through a goal scored by Rashmi Ghising. A minute later, Sabita Rana Magar doubled the lead. Nepal went into the break with a 3-0 lead with another goal from Menuka Ale Ma...

By a Staff Reporter Kathmandu - With the completion of the fourth round of matches of the Qatar Airways Martyrs Memorial A Division League, both the title race as well as attempts to avoid relegation by the bottom clubs have become interesting. Out of the total 91 matches, 28 have been completed so far. Defending champions Machhindra and Manang Marshyangdi Club sit on top of the points table with 10 points each. On the other hand, the bottom-placed clubs – APF and Jawlakhel Youth Club – both have managed to earn one point each by the end of the fourth round matches. The clubs are expected to step up their performance in the upcoming matches as the top four clubs with AFC club license will get a chance to feature in the AFC Cup after the completion of the seventh round of matc...

Subas Humagain, Kathmandu All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has opted not to offer a new contract to Technical Director Gary Phillips. Australian Phillips who came to Nepal two and a half years ago also worked as Head Coach of Nepal Women’s National Team in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. Phillips came to Nepal under AFC’s fund and has been working to enhance Nepal’s technical aspect, esp. Coach Education. After the AFC cut down funds citing COVID reasons last year, ANFA has opted not to continue with Phillips. His current contract with ANFA is due to expire this Wednesday. ‘AFC funded Phillips’ remuneration AFC Project. The project is no longer running, so we are not able to afford his cost from our resources,‘ said ANFA’s General Secretary Indraman Tuladhar. Phillips a...

Agencies Manchester United's Premier League match against Brentford scheduled for Tuesday night has been postponed after a Covid-19 outbreak at the Old Trafford club. The league reportedly said such decision was taken "following guidance from medical advisers due to the exceptional circumstances". Earlier, United shut down their Carrington training ground to minimise the risk of infection. According to media reports, 42 premier league players and staffs have tested positive for the virus in the past week. Brighton, Tottenham, Leicester, Aston Villa and Norwich have all confirmed cases and Sunday's Brighton vs Tottenham fixture was postponed following a Covid-19 outbreak at Spurs. United say positives cases among staff and players reported on Sunday have bee...