KATHMANDU, DEC 04 - The national league runners-up Mahendra Police Club were held to a goal-less draw by Kolkata’s Super Division side Railway FC in the Martyr’s Memorial ANFA-SanMiguel Invitational Football Tournament at the Dashrath Stadium today.
Both sides failed to find the net despite numerous chances in the delayed match that started one hour after the scheduled time because of the delay in the arrival of Kolkata side to the capital. Railway FC, who had to won relegation play-off against West Bengal Police to stay in Kolkata Super Division this year, played the match two hours after arriving to the hotel.
MPC missed numerous chances, most of them by veteran Dev Narayan Chaudhary, while Railway also were unlucky in a few chances. MPC striker Ramesh Budhathoki got a good chance in the 18th minute on the counter-attack but his shot went wide. After five minutes, Mani Chamling saved Railway captain Basu Banik’s long shot.
The closest chance for MPC came in 24th minute when Ramesh’s cross found unmarked Dev Narayan in the six-yard box. But Dev Narayan, with the open post at his mercy, shot high above the bar. In the 38th minute, Dev Narayan fumbled again on Hari Khadka’s cross.
Dev Narayan’s best effort came in last minute of the first half when his header was blocked by K Paul and another effort, with foot, on rebound was again blocked. Dev Narayan also missed a header when there was just the goalie to beat in 40th minute as his effort on Ramesh’s cross went wide.
The second half was slower than the first and produced no close chances. Three of the Railway players received yellow from referee Gyani Raja Shrestha, who also took the card twice in the first half - one for MPC’s AnantaThapa and another for Railway’s SS Chaudhary.
ANFA cancelled today’s scheduled match between Manang Marshyangdi Club and Food Corporation of Kolkata due to latter’s delay in arrival. The match will be played on Thursday.
The second match on Thursday, according to ANFA, will be between Railway and New Road Team. But Railway coach Samiran Mukherji told the reporters that they will not play against NRT. "We just can’t play two matches in two days with the boys tired by the long journey," said Mukherji.Posted on: 2003-12-03 10:32

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