KATHMANDU, FEB 25 -
Record-setting Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) ended an eight-year
drought to secure the Martyrs Memorial A Division League with a 2-0 win
over Nepal Police Club (NPC) in their penultimate match here on Tuesday.With their seventh title, MMC become the most successful domestic team surpassing the relegated Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT), who have six league crowns under their belt. MMC were last crowned champions in 2006 after their triumphs in 1986, 1987, 1989, 2001 and 2004. Forward Yona Elias’s ninth goal of the league put MMC ahead in the 53rd minute while Sujal Shrestha’s stunning freekick from the edge of the area sealed MMC’s win 14 minutes later.
“We undoubtedly deserve the trophy,” said a delighted MMC coach Hari Om Shrestha. “We have had some poor results but we have consistently picked up points.” The win meant MMC collect 35 points, four more than second-placed Machhindra Football Club with the final round of the Super League remaining. Defending champions Three Star Club lie third on 29 points and NPC fourth on 26 points.
It was the fifth trophy of the season for MMC. They won Gurkha Cup, King Cup (Thimpu), Safal Pokhara Cup and Ncell Cup meaning that the champion-elect are assured of crossing Rs 10 million in prize money alone this season. The league champions are assured of Rs 7.5 million to go with Rs 1.5 million for winning Ncell Cup, Rs 1 million for Gurkha Cup and Rs 355,000 for Safal Pokhara Cup.
Apart from winning a whopping prize money, MMC will also now represent Nepal in the AFC President’s Cup. “Teamwork and coordination have been the key for us. The players have played with great spirit on the pitch while the coaching staff have worked equally hard,” added the MMC coach Shrestha.
Defender Sagar Thapa will lift the trophy for the second time in MMC shirt, the first as an influential defender back in 2006 and now as captain. “Luck was on our side to some extent this season,” said Thapa. “Whenever we lost points, our contenders failed to capitalise,” said the MMC skipper expressing joy over winning the championship for the second time with MMC.
Forward Elias broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute after he headed Deepak Rai’s cross into the bottom corner. Rai’s powerful cross from the right left NPC goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa stranded at the edge of the six-yard box allowing Elias to guide his header into an unattended goal. And the NPC custodian could do nothing to stop Sujal’s curling left-footed freekick from the edge of the area which nestled into the roof of the net in the 67th minute.
“Players deserve all the credit,” said MMC coach Shrestha. “The players haven’t played brilliantly in each game but we must understand it is hard for the players considering that we play a game every alternate day,” added Shrestha.
NPC coach Birat Krishna Shrestha stated that his side are in transition at the moment and he hoped his younger players would improve next season.
MMC facts
- A Division League champions: 1986, 1987, 1989, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2014
- Other trophies this season: Gurkha Cup, King’s Cup (Thimpu), Safal Pokhara Cup, Ncell Cup
- Surpass RCT as the highest A Division League winners with seven titles
- Cross Rs 10 million in prize money earning this season
- Overall their 36th title win
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