KATHMANDU, Jan 6: The departmental team Nepal Police Club has thrown away an opportunity to climb to the fifth position in the ongoing Martyr’s Memorial A-Division League and increase the gap between the lower clubs after being held 1-1 by Saraswati Youth Club in Halchowk on Saturday. 

Both the goals came in the second half of the match played at the Armed Police Force (APF)’s Halchowk Stadium after spending a dull first half. Trying to get higher up the table in its last match of the league, Police could not get past the strong Saraswati defense line. 

Both the teams started with attacking initiatives in the second half and scored a goal each in a draw. 

Despite Police’s reputation, it was Saraswati that scored the first goal in the game as Victor Amibi gave the underdog the lead through a spot kick with an easy finish in the 50th minute. It was awarded the penalty after Saraswati’s Tirtha Basnet was fouled inside the box. 

But, Saraswati could not hold on its lead for long. Ravi Paswan of Police brought the game back to level terms just three minutes after going down. 

Then an attacking Police side could not find a way through the Saraswati goal. It attacked constantly through Saraswati’s danger area, but all its attacks were thwarted away to safety by a strong defensive line. 

With the draw, Police is still sixth with 19 points from 13 games and a win for Himalayan Sherpa Club against Three Star Club will help Himalayan climb sixth. Himalayan has 17 points from 12 games. Meanwhile, Saraswati is 10th with 13 points from as many games, and it won’t be moved as 11th place team Brigade Boys Club has nine points from 12 games. 

Likewise, in the other match played earlier on the same day, newcomer Chyasal Youth Club has finished just a place below the top half salvaging a 1-1 draw from Jawalakhel Youth Club.

In a highly-competitive match, Aruj Singh gave Jawalakhel the lead in the 10th minute heading in an Olalaken Afeez Lawal free-kick. 

Jawalakhel showed a different approach as it was looking for a happy ending to the league. Chyasal started to play attacking football after going a goal down and got its reward with a goal. 

Chyasal, prioritizing the counter-attack tactics, leveled the game in the 32nd minute through Tshering Gurung from the penalty spot. 

Chyasal had other chances to score in the game as Sajin Thapa hit a shot from the penalty box, but his shot was brilliantly punched away to safety by Jawalakhel keeper Sagar Shrestha in the eighth minute. 

Jawalakhel also had few chances to score as Suraj Thakuri hit a corner, but Adama Doumbia’s header went just wide of the target in the 35th minute, while Chyasal’s Shant Bahadur Gurung beautifully netted the ball in the 58th minute, but the referee did not give the goal citing Gurung fouled the keeper first. 

Chyasal missed another chance as Bikram Limbu hit a fierce shot, but the ball hit the crossbar in the 77th minute which was later cleared away for safety. 

Jawalakhel defender Kuldip Karki was named the man of the match for his good defensive performance. 

With the result, Chyasal will stay on the eighth place with 16 points from 13 games, while Jawalakhel will also stay intact in the ninth place with 13 points from as many games. 

Three Star will take on Himalayan Sherpa at the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Complex in Satdobato, Lalitpur on Sunday, while the other departmental team Tribhuvan Army Club will play against Machhindra Club on the same day at the Halchowk Stadium. 

Three Star is third with 28 points, while it could lose a place if Army defeats Machhindra and it fails to win against Himalayan. Himalayan, however, has 17 points and could eclipse Police and go level on points with APF. 

Also, Army has 22 points from 12 games and is at the fourth place, while Machhindra is in danger of getting fixed in the last two bottom places and is currently in the 13th place with just seven points.

 
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