Machhindra FC registered their second consecutive win in the National League on Monday, making the Kathmandu-based club a strong contender for the title.

After Laligurans, this is the team that has won two consecutive games so far. In this case, it also remained in second place, only because of the goal difference. But the club itself did not seem happy with the team's performance. Coach Pravesh Katuwal also admitted that the team needs a lot of improvement. 

Before entering the field, not only he, but many expected Machindra to win by a large margin. But the victory achieved in the second game was narrow. Therefore, coach Katuwal rightly said, 'The way Manang lost in the first game, in that sense, we should have won against them by a large goal difference, but that did not happen.' Moreover, the way Machindra had conceded the goal, it was better not to have done so. 

Captain and goalkeeper Vishal Shrestha probably ignored it without understanding. By the time he realized it, Manang's special Lama had already equalized. This possible goal in the first minute of injury time of the first half could not snatch 3 points from Machindra. Coach Katuwal did not openly criticize Vishal. But his argument was, this is what happens if all the players do not prepare properly. What that means is that Machindra will have to work even harder in the next game. 

Machindra took the lead in the eighth minute through a goal by Sanish Shrestha in the match at Dasharath Stadium. It was really expected that goals would rain now. But nothing like that happened. The decisive goal of the game was scored by Jonathan Eduardo in the 57th minute. This is Manang's second consecutive defeat. The team remained disappointingly pointless. But assistant coach Shailesh Karmacharya feels that the team's performance has improved compared to the first game. 

He also believes that Manang will play better in the next games. His argument was, 'We are relying on young players for this tournament. If there was an 'A' division, we would have made a good team. Despite this, we believe that Manang will play well in the upcoming matches and we will see it.' In that sense, Manang was defeated, but coach Karmacharya Machindra was not as disappointed as Kutwal. 

As much as Dashrath was at the stadium to watch this match, one fact will haunt him. For domestic football, Manang's match against Machindra should be one of the most attractive matches. But the number of spectators to watch this match could be counted on one hand. The matter is not so simple, at one time, when Manang played, its supporters used to come to the field in large numbers. In such a situation, the question is, where did they go? More importantly, why did those supporters stay away from the club? 

NRT in rhythm

The start of the competition was not good for NRT, they were defeated in the first match against Machindra. At that time, their problem was visible, the decisive attack for the goal. But this same NRT found the answer against Satdobato. This win has given NRT 3 points. Satdobato was limited to one point. Balgopal Sahukhal will have to make a decision soon to make a difference in the team. 

Vigyan Khadka scored two goals for NRT in the match held at Dasharath Stadium. He scored the first goal in the eighth minute and added the second goal in the third minute of injury time of the second half. Meanwhile, Timothy Chimeri Okereke added the second goal in the 17th minute. For Satdobato, Nepal's domestic football perennial Guena player Fode Fofana scored a goal in the 33rd minute, but the team itself could not return to the game. 

Pokhareli team on top

Pokhareli team Laligurans has proved by winning its second consecutive match in Satdobato that if it maintains this rhythm in the competition, it will present a good challenge to the teams in the title race. Laligurans looks rich with 6 points from consecutive wins and, perhaps contrary to many expectations, has risen to the top for now. Ashish Gurung scored two goals for them, in the 55th and 60th minutes. 

The first goal of the game was scored by Abdul Yusuf. He opened the scoring in the 26th minute. The last goal was scored by Ekote Junior in the 89th minute. The only goal possible for Navajagruti was possible in the first minute of injury time of the second half and the credit for that goes to Umesh Sanjyal. But this was nothing more than a consolation goal. This is Nava Janajagruti's second consecutive defeat. The league could now prove to be a long-lasting struggle for the team.