Bhagwati Club excited by draw, first goal of National League scored by own goal
What you should know
Finally, Nepal has returned to the domestic football field through the national league. But the 'A' League Division Champion Church Boys Club could not get the expected victory in the first day's match. The team had to play a draw with Tokha's Shree Bhagwati. For Church Boys, who are strong candidates for the title, this result is like losing 2 points. Even a single point earned by Tokha will give the team encouragement.
Shree Bhagwati Club has been able to avoid defeat in its top-level football since its promotion to the ‘A’ Division. Due to this result, Friends Club remained at the top of the table after the first day of play. Friends defeated Surkhet team Kankre Bihar in the opening match. This seemed like an easy result to a large extent. Perhaps the path ahead for this team, which is playing in the national league after playing in the ANFA President’s Cup, may not be easy.
The first goal in the first match at the ANFA Complex ground in Satdobato did not have to wait long, but it remained largely unachieved. Kantre Bihar took an unexpected lead in the sixth minute with the help of an own goal by Khemraj Shrestha. Perhaps it was not even an own goal? There was confusion about whose last shot was headed in the direction of the forward. But Kantre Bihar could not maintain that lead.
Friends returned to the game in the second minute of injury time of the first half through a goal by Prashant Laxam. Then, Pravesh Basnet scored in the 59th minute, giving Friends the lead for the first time. Ashish Chapagain scored the third and final goal in the 90th minute, ensuring the team's victory. Friends managed to collect 3 points from the victory.
After the match, the assistant coaches of both teams had the same pressure, it was a little difficult since it was the first match. Friends' Bimal Magar said, 'Initially, there was no coordination between the players, so there was an own goal. This also created pressure. But we were able to make a comeback in the second half.' Kankrebihar's Asim Khadka's reaction was, 'Since it was the first match, our performance was not organized. There were some weaknesses in the midfield. We want to give our local players a chance as much as possible.'
Eric's cleverness
In the second match, Tokha's Shree Bhagwati Club took the lead in the 45th minute through a goal by Harihar Budhamagar. But it did not last long. Eric Bista pulled one back in the 65th minute. Church Boys made a clever performance with a free kick near the penalty area and Eric scored the goal. There were no more goals after that, although it will be unfortunate for Church Boys that two shots hit the post.
'We are disappointed with the draw, but the league is very long, so there is no need to panic right now,' said Church Boys' assistant coach Ramesh Dangal. He believes that this is like losing 2 points for Church Boys. But one fact will keep Church Boys confident. Currently, another Church Boys team is playing in Sikkim. Therefore, the Church Boys team that appeared in the first match is not complete.
