By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – New Road Team (NRT) stunned Manang Marshyangdi Club 1-0 in the Qatar Airways Martyrs Memorial A Division League on Sunday to climb to the second position in league table.
NRT also leapfrogged Army and Three Star Club to climb to the second position with a decisive first-half goal from Mesuke Olumou.
Sanam Limbu could have scored a goal for NRT in the 15th minute but MMC goalkeeper Ashok Baral managed to save his shot by the skin of his teeth.
During the match held at Dasharath Stadium, Olumou scored the goal in the 26th minute which turned out to be the decisive goal. Olumou capitalized on a free kick from Eric Bista to score from the penalty box leaving MMC goalkeeper Ashok Baral helpless.
MMC missed a chance to equalize in the 34th minute when a header from skipper Bimal Rana in a cross from Deepak Rai went narrowly wide. Another header from Rana in a pass from Dinesh Rajbanshi in the 42nd minute was saved by NRT goalkeeper Kapujan Hona with a superb dive.
On the other side of the pitch, Olumou’s shot deflected wide after hitting Franklin Koteta in the 45th minute.
NRT Skipper Darshan Gurung hit a powerful strike in the 74th minute but MMC goalkeeper Baral punched the shot away. NRT took away all three points as both the teams failed to score any more goal.
This is the second consecutive defeat of MMC in the ongoing league and the fourth loss overall. MMC were earlier beaten by Machhindra, Satdobato and APF. NRT on the other hand have registered their fifth win.
With this victory, NRT have 20 points from 12 matches. MMC who have equal 20 points are third while Army, who have a match in hand, are fourth with 19 points.
