By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – A high-scoring match between Friends Club and Three Star Club held at the Chyasal Stadium on Tuesday ended all square with both sides finding the back of the net thrice.
Three Star’s Nigerian forward Ajayi Martins Kayode scored the club’s first goal of the season in the second minute of the match, putting them ahead but Friends Club responded with a goal by Kushal Pyual in the 15th minute. Yogesh Gurung then scored his maiden goal for Three Star in the 24th minute, giving his side the lead once again, but Friends Club’s Akhrorbek Uktamov equalized in the 43rd minute to cancel out Three Star’s lead before going into the break.
Pradip Lamsal, who replaced Anoj Gaire in the 83rd minute scored in the 87th minute to put Three Star ahead once again. However, in the dying minutes of the match, there was a dramatic turn as Three Star’s Anil Maharjan scored an own goal in the fifth minute of injury time. As a result, both teams earned their first point of the season.
Church Boys edge pasts Khumaltar
In another match, Church Boys United Football Club defeated FC Khumaltar 3-1 at the ANFA complex. Aasish Chapagain netted a brace and Arik Bista scored one for Church Boys, while Messouke Oloumou scored a consolation goal for Khumaltar.
Aasish took advantage of the miscommunication between Khumaltar’s defender and goalkeeper to score the opening goal in the 11th minute. Arik Bista then doubled Church Boys’ lead in the 18th minute tapping in Aasish Chaudhary’s cross from the left flank sending Khumaltar’s goalie Dev Limbu the wrong way.
Messouke’s free-kick in the 40th minute kept Khumaltar’s hope alive, but Church Boys secured their victory with a goal by Aasish in the 71st minute. Khumaltar’s custodian Dev was unable to collect Sabin Khadka’s long cross, which Aasish took advantage of and placed the ball into the goalpost from the edge of the box, securing the victory for Church Boys.
With this win, Church Boys moved to the top of the points table with 6 points, while Khumaltar slipped down to fifth.