E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, APR 22 - Nepal Police Club (NPC) opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the table after earning an easy 2-0 win against Rani Pokhari Team (RCT) in the Martyrs’ Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League at the Dashrath Stadium on Wednesday.

NPC, unbeaten in 15 games, have 35 points against 28 of second placed Nabil Three Star Club, which lost track following their shock 1-0 defeat to G-Five Machhindra Club on Tuesday.

The day also turned out productive for bottom-of-the-table Boys Union Club, who stunned NIB Friends 3-2 in the first match of the day to move one place up to 11th with eight points at the expense of Sankata Club.

NPC took a 20th minute lead, thanks to a curling free kick from Robin Shrestha that easily crept past keeper Dilip Chettri. Holders NPC added another after the interval on 47th minute through Jumanu Rai when he collected an unchallenged pass from striking partner Chetan Ghimire to score with ease.

NPC coach Birat Krishna Shrestha knows that NPC are the frontrunners in the title race but at the same he is also aware that overconfidence can prove costly.

In the first match of the day, strugglers Boys Union Club stunned Friends 3-2 in their attempt to avoid relegation. Coach Kumar Katwal, who had promised a top five finish after his first day in-charge of the club, termed today’s victory the ‘beginning of the battle for survival’.

“We will fight till the end to stay in the top flight, and with this victory our battle for survival has begun,” he added.

BUC went in front on 16th minute. Jeetu Rai made full use of the advancing keeper Sagar Rai to volley his attempt into the top right corner.

BUC surprisingly dominated possession there after, and how lucky could they be: they widened their lead on 52nd minute from an own goal from Krishna Lama, whose back pass to keeper  Sagar Gurung ended at the back of the net after the keeper failed to collect the ball.

Their third came on 66th minute through a solo attempt from Tanka Lama, who tore through Friends defense with an exhilarating run almost from the centre before putting his attempt at the back of the net.

Buddha Chemjong pulled one back for Friends on 69th minute through a curling free kick on 66th minute before Kushal Shrestha reduced the deficit 13 minutes later from an own goal.

The defeat leaves Friends’ at eight, one point behind RCT, who lost against NPC.

Posted on: 2010-04-22 08:55

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