Army, Police share the spoils

KATHMANDU, JAN 11 - A clash between two departmental teams — Nepal Police Club (NPC) and Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) — ended in a 1-1 draw during the Martyrs Memorial Red Bull A Division League here on Friday.

Tek Bahadur Budathoki scored for TAC while Ganesh Khadka struck the equaliser for NPC in a high intensity match at the Dashrath Stadium. In another match, NIBL Friends Club edged NMB Bank Machhindra FC 1-0.


With the results, TAC and Friends are tied at second with equal seven points as well as goal difference. NPC, who also have seven points, remain on fifth and only goal difference separates fourth-placed Himalayan Sherpa Club and NPC. Manang Marshyangdi Club lead the standings with nine points.

In a match where chances went begging on both ends, it was the Armymen who came close to scoring early in the fourth minute. Budathoki made a mess of a wonderful scoring opportunity by applying a feeble shot on goal in Tanka Basnet pass.

Armymen themselves got a reprieve in the 25th minute when custodian Ganga Ram Deuja spilled a straight forward ball, allowing Ramesh Katuwal to pounce on the chance but his shot was cleared from goalline by Jitendra Karki. Budathoki then made up for his miss to put Armymen ahead in the 30th minute. Budathoki’s fierce strike from edge of the area kissed the roof of the net at the far post.

However, TAC’s celebration was shortlived as Ganesh Khadka pulled NPC level five minutes later with an equally good goal, also struck from edge of the area. Fed at the edge of the box, Khadka  blasted a shot leaving TAC custodian hardly any time to react.



Armymen came close to retaining the lead in the 75th minute when Basnet pierced the NPC defense running in from right flank and cut the ball back for star striker Bharat Khawas. Khawas did manage to tap the ball from four yards but unluckily the ball struck his left leg allowing  a NPC defender to clear it.

NPC almost walked away with three points only for substitute Dipen Shrestha  to  miss a clear scoring opportunity, when he shot the ball over the bar  from eight yards after being setup by Bhola Silwal  into the second half injury time.

“We were expecting to win  but that did not happen,” said TAC coach Yogamber Suwal.



 NPC coach Birat Krishna Shrestha said that lack of coordination in midfield caused big problems in the first half. “Two of their (TAC) defenders were causing panic in our area as they were easily supplying balls from both the wings,” added the NPC coach.

In the second match Bishnu KC scored the decider, heading home Deepak Gurung’s freekick  in the eighth minute. “It was an even game as both teams failed to shine,” said Friends coach Megh Raj KC.

Johan Kalin, Machhindra’s  Swedish coach, was disappointed with the result. “We conceded the goal due to our own mistake,” added Kalin who rued on missed chances.

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