By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Nepal’s league champions Machhindra Football Club have crashed out of the preliminary round of AFC Cup qualifiers after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Sri Lanka’s Blue Star SC on Tuesday.
Mohammad Ishan and Senal Sandesh were on target for the Sri Lankan club during the match held at the Dasharath Stadium, Tribureshwar. Machhindra FC’s skipper Sujal Shrestha hit back a goal for the hosts.
Machhindra could have taken an early lead in the ninth minute in a long pass from Bimal Gharti Magar to Nurlan Novruzov. However, Novruzov shot wide in a one-versus-one situation.
Blue Star had earned a penalty in the 15th minute after Devendra Tamang fouled Senal Sandesh in the penalty box. But Machhindra FC’s goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha foiled the attempt from spot kick by Erepade Ombebe.
Blue Star took the lead in the 24th minute when Ishan scored in a free kick from Fazal. The Sri Lankan club were awarded the free kick after Bishal Rai upended Mohammad Asad.
Four minutes later, Sandesh doubled Sri Lanka’s lead with a cool finish after Ranjit Dhimal failed to clear the ball from the box.
Novruzov made an attempt on goal in a free kick from Rejin Dhimal in the 35th minute but he was adjudged to be offside. Novruzov failed to meet a cross from Bimal Gharti Magar immediately after that. Gharti Magar failed to score header in a corner kick of Rejin Dhimal in the 38th minute while Devendra Tamang’s second attempt was foiled by Blue Star’s goalkeeper Lakpriya Fernandez.
Nepal had a golden chance to hit a goal back in the 67th minute but Bimal Gharti Magar’s header in a cross from Abhishek Rijal rebounded after hitting the pole. Chhiring Gurung’s attempt to score in a rebound was foiled by Blue Star’s skipper Tharindu Eranga.
Sujal Shrestha’s header in a cross from Rejin Dhimal went wide in the 77th minute as the home side waited anxiously to cut the deficit. Machhindra’s improved performance in the second half paid off when Captain Shrestha utilized a pass from Manish Dangi to slot inside the net in the fourth minute of injury time to make the score 2-1. However, it was too late for Machhindra to revive their hopes.
Blue Star will now face India’s ATK Mohan Bagan in the second round match on April 12.
