By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – The defending champions, Machhindra Football Club, and the bottom-ranked Friends Club played to an exhilarating 2-2 draw in an ongoing Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League at Dasarath Stadium on Thursday.
Despite both teams creating numerous goal-scoring opportunities in the first half, none could convert them into goals. It was in the second half that all the action unfolded.
Friends Club took the lead twice but failed to hold on to it. The breakthrough came in the 68th minute when super sub Prakash Budhathoki made an immediate impact. Prakash showcased his skill by dribbling past Diwakar Chaudhary, cutting inside the box from the left flank, and finding the back of the net from a tight angle, giving Friends Club a 1-0 advantage.
However, Machhindra quickly responded with a goal of their own. In the 71st minute, Afeez Oladipo Olawale headed the ball home from Yuta Suzuki’s corner and leveled the score.
Friends Club regained their lead in the 79th minute through Rafiq Aminu. Anjal Maharjan delivered a cross from the left wing, and Aminu tapped it in after Devendra Tamang failed to clear the ball.
Not willing to settle for a loss, Olawale came to Machhindra’s rescue once again. In the 83rd minute, he scored the equalizer, securing a crucial point for his team.
With this draw, Machhindra maintained their position in third place with 31 points from 19 matches, while Friends Club remained in the 13th position with 21 points from the same number of matches.
In another match at Chyasal Stadium, Manang Marshyangdi Club and Sankata Club played out an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Koffi Timothee Koudo scored two goals for Manang, while Youssef Atriss and Manish Dangi each found the net once for Sankata.
