Yesterday in a Thursday afternoon match, Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) defeated second-place Sankata Boys Youth Club and becomes the champion of Martyr’s Memorial A-Division League for the record eighth time. In a league which resumed after nearly five years, Manang was already one of the favourite teams to win the league. Before the start of the season, no one would have imagined Manang will win the league with two games to play. This season, MMC has earned 33 points from their 11 games with the 100 per cent win record. After yesterday’s win over second place Sankata, they are flying at the top of the table with 8 points advantage.
It’s now only two games left to play in the league and with the 8 points advantage over second place Sankata, Manang already won the league. After Sankata’s loss in yesterday’s match, the race for second, third and fourth place has now become so interesting. Currently, Sankata Boys Youth, Three Star, and Tribhuvan Army club are battling for the second spot. Manang has now won the Martyr’s Memorial A-Division league for the record 8th times. Ranipohari Corner Team (RCT) is behind MMC in second place for the most league title with 6 league title. League Champion Manag Marshyangdi Club will be awarded a cash prize of 50000 USD and will also represent Nepal in the 2019 AFC Asia Cup.
In yesterday’s match, Manang could have beat the Sankata with more than 2 goal difference, their 4 shots were denied by the goal post. In a highly awaited clash, Manang took the lead in the 44th minute of the match with an own goal from Sankata defender Roshan Pahari. Sankata gaolkeeper Raja Babu was more responsible for that Roshan own goal. Raja Babu misjudged Manag’s corner and punched the ball towards his own goal post. Roshan Failed to clear the ball from the goal-line and score an own goal.
Manag scored their second goal in the 81st minute of the match. The second half substitute Pujan Upercoti scored Manag’s second goal with the header in Bishal Rai corner. He scored the goal with his first touch of the match within a minute of his introduction in pitch. Manang scored their third goal just 3 minutes before the 90 marks, their foreign striker Oluwaunmi Somide scored their third goal to seal the victory for Manang.
Sankata striker Cedric Aba scored the consolation goal for Sankata in a last minute of the match. The MMC midfielder Heman Magar was awarded man of the match with 100 USD.
Since there is no relegation in this year’s league, the remaining matches will be played only for the formality. Manang new manager Suman Shrestha become the first manager to win the league in his debut season as a manager in the league. Before this season, he was the assistant of Manang’s Nigerian manager Tope Fuja. After having problems with his work permit, Fuja was replaced by Shrestha this season. After Winning the League yesterday, Shrestha gives all the credits to Fuja for his susses to win the league in a debut season.
For more photos of the match, here is the link for GoalNepal facebook page https://www.facebook.com/goalnepalofficial
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