Nepal Police Club (NPC) piled more pressure on Chyasal Youth Club (CYC) with a 2-1 victory in the Qatar Airways Martyr's Memorial 'A' Division League 2021/22 on Wednesday.
Ravi Shankar Paswan scored both the goals for NPC in the victory. He opened the score in the 37th minute when his cross spun and went into the net. CYC levelled through Moussa Abagana in the 53rd minute through a penalty after Rumesh Bartaula was brought down by Suman Subedi in the box.
But Paswan restored NPC's lead in the 70th minute and secured all three points in the match.
NPC's head coach Ananta Raj Thapa said his team needed three points and took them rather comfortably. "There was some pressure on us after we took the lead but we held on. The first half was under our control and we were able to score a goal," said Thapa. When asked if his team had thwarted relegation, Thapa responded by saying their status in the top-tier would be safe after they put on positive performance in the remaining games.
CYC's Technical Director Leigh Manson, standing in for suspended head coach Bal Gopal Sahukhala, said they were still taking on the disappointment of the defeat. "We played football the right way in the second half. We created numerous chances just could not put the ball in the back of the net. And that has been the story so far of our season," said Leigh.
Leigh said his team hadn’t had much luck in front of the goal. "The first goal they scored spun off the player's leg. Even the scorer was surprised. That is the kind of luck we are having. But this is football," Manson said.
CYC remain in the 13th position with five points from nine matches. NPC climb a place above to 10 with 10 points from nine games.
The game also concluded the ninth round of the league. Machhindra Football Club have a four point lead over NOC Manang Marsyangdi Club while Friends Club, along with CYC, are in the relegation zone.
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