Machindra, Sankata play goalless draw

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 21^st minute. Likewise, a cross from Ranjit Dhimal in the 30^th minute landed straight in the hands of goalkeeper Thapa. Fofana’s strike in the 36^th minute hit the woodwork. In the 40^th minute, Fofana beat two defenders in the middle of the field but his cross was cleared by Andreas Niya to the relief of Machhindra.

Machhindra kept Sankata under pressure in the second half with an improved performance. But they were denied a goal in the 61^st minute. Manish Dangi scored a goal in a pass from Sunil Bal but Dangi was in an offside position during that time. The game ended in a stalemate as both sides couldn’t score any goals.

This is the second draw of unbeaten Machhindra. Prior to this match, Machhindra had played a goalless draw against Army. Meanwhile, this is the third draw of Sankata, who are also unbeaten in the league. Sankata had shared points with Himalayan Sherpa and Manang.

With this draw, Machhindra missed a chance to go three points clear atop the points table.

Machhindra are ahead of Manang, who have a game in hand, by one point. Second-placed Manang have a chance to top the table if they beat police in their fifth round match on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Sankata are fourth in the points table following the draw. Although Army also have equal nine points, they are ahead of Sankata on goal difference.