New Road Team (NRT) quelled off a spirited fightback from Friends Club to register a 3-2 win in the Qatar Airways Martyr's Memorial 'A' Division League 2021/22 on Friday.
All the goals of the game were scored by foreign players. Messouke Oloumou scored twice and Stephane Samir Binong scored one for NRT while Jamoul Francois and Nathaniel Jude Garcia scored for Friends.
Binong opened the opening in the fifth minute and Messouke doubled the goal advantage in the 20th minute to give a 2-0 lead for NRT at the break. Francois pulled one back for Friends but the comeback was soon put to rest by Messouke's second in the fourth minute of the added time.
Garcia scored Friends second in the sixth and final minute of the added time and they ran out of time for any chances of levelling the score.
NRT's head coach Raju Kaji Shakya said their defending looked shaky at times in second half but held on for the win. "We came for three points and we achieved it. We came under pressure in the second half when they attacked us but I am happy for the win," Shakya said.
Friends Club's head coach Mrigendra Mishra said they put on a hopeless show in the first half but bounced back in the second. "Our second half performance was good. Pressure has started to get us but we still have games to play," Mishra said when questioned about the club's chances of survival in the top-tier.
Three Star Club will play Jawalakhel Youth Club in the first match at Dasharath Stadium on Saturday at 1 pm. The second match between Manang Marsyangdi Club and Brigade Boys Club will be played in Pokhara at 2 pm while the third match between Sankata Club and Chyasal Youth Club will be played at Dasharath Stadium at 4:45 pm.
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