It’s been a so long since I last wrote on the domestic league game of Nepal. Yesterday Nepal’s two top teams Tribhuvan Army Club and Three Star Club played 1-1 draw in the 9th round of the Martyr's Memorial A-Division league. The late equalizing goal from the Army’s George Prince Karki in the last minute of the match ended the Three Star’s hope to win the 2018-19 Martyr’s Memorial A-Division League.
Before the start of the match, Three Star was in a third position of the table and was 6 points behind the league leader Manang Marshyangdi Club(MMC). They started the match with a hope to close the gap to 3 points but unfortunately, they failed to keep their lead in the very last minute and failed to register the 8th win in a 9 league game. This season, Three Star lost their only match against the current league leader Manang Marshyangdi Club. I had written the review of that match here
In a yesterday’s most awaited match at ANFA complex Satdobato, these two teams played with a hope to remain in the title race. Both teams produced a very insipid first-half display, both teams failed to create the chances at the front and the first-half ended a goalless draw. After the goalless draw in the first half, both teams were in the pressure as both teams needed 3 points to keep their hope alive for the title race. Three started to press high in the second half and took the lead in the 70th minute with a goal from Nirajan Khadka. He scored with a wonderfully taken half-volley from inside of the d-box area. The Nigerian striker Ajayi Martins Kayode made the assist for Nirajan goal.
In the 87th minute, Three Star striker Anil Gurung missed the opportunity to extend their leads to two goals. His attempt hit on to the post in one vs one against Army Keeper Bikesh Kuthu and went out. In a highly time wasted match, the fourth official showed the 4 minutes of injury time. Three-star somehow managed to keep their lead till 93rd minute, but the drama started in the 94th minute of the match. The 23-year-old Army's forward George Prince Karki scored the late equalizer from the wonderfully taken free-kick. His curling free-kick from nearly 25-yards beat the Three Star goalkeeper Alan Neupane and helped Army to earn a point. The match ended a 1-1 draw. The Tribhuvan Army player Sesehang Angdambe was awarded man of the match and received a 100 USD.
The league leader MMC is the happy team after the draw between these two teams. After the end of round 9, Manang is still at the top with 27 points with 100 percent win record, they are still unbeaten in the league. Sankata Boys Sports Club is in second place with 24 points from 9 games, they lost their only match against Tribhuvan Army club by a scoreline of 5-0. Three-star is 5 points behind the league leader MMC and is in the 3rd position. While Tribhuvan Army club is in 4th position with 18 points.
Now, It’s only 4 games remaining to end league and Three Star coach Meghraj KC still believes there is a tiny little hope to win the league. Personally, I don’t think Three Star will win the league since they still have to play against the second place Sankata Boys but league leader MMC also have a game to play against Sankata Club.
The only time I’ve seen such miracle when Manchester City won the Premier League in 2011/12 season. They were 5 points behind Manchester United before 4 games to end the league, but at the end of the season, they won the league with the last minute goal from Sergio Aguero.
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