Three Star’s title hopes all but over

KATHMANDU, FEB 25 - Defending champions Three Star Club’s hopes of retaining the Martyrs Memorial Red Bull A Division League title are all but over after playing out a goalless draw in their penultimate match against Sankata Club here at the Dashrath Stadium on Monday.

Despite dominating possession, Three Star struggled to break down a sturdy Sankata defence as custodian Pierre Herve remained fairly untroubled throughout the game. The draw keeps Three Star in third position with 29 points from 16 games while leaders Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) are on 32 points with a game in hand. Machhindra Football Club (MFC) are second on 31. MMC can clinch the league title with a game to spare if they defeat Nepal Police Club in their penultimate game on Tuesday.

“I think it is fair to say that our chances of winning the title are over. Now it is important that we win our remaining fixture against MMC and end the season on a positive note,” said Three Star coach Anjan KC. Prakash Budhathoki squandered a golden opportunity to put Three Star ahead when he headed a left wing Jagajeet cross wide in the 24th minute.

Earlier, Sankata defender Ibrahim Obusola did brilliantly to clear Jagajeet’s swirling cross from the left before even forward Santosh Sahukhala could get his feet to the ball inside the area in the 15th minute. Three Star wasted another opportunity when an unmarked Yogesh Gurung missed a close-range header on Biraj Maharjan’s cross in the 38th minute.

“The first half showed what we have been lacking throughout the league. We dominated possession but our forwards just could not get the ball into the net,” said Three Star coach KC. The pattern of play remained similar after the interval with Three Star dominating possession in midfield but struggling to penetrate Sankata backline.

Bishnu Gurung’s 30-yard shot went over the cross bar off Sankata defender Obusola in the 79th minute while Kalu Thapa cleared Jagajeet’s curling corner off the goalline a minute later. Nirajan Khadka added to Three Star’s list of wasted chances when he glanced his close-range header on Jagajeet’s cross wide two minutes from time.

“Our forwards have been disappointing throughout the season. Even though we have created scoring opportunities in all of our games, our finishing has cost us heavy,” added Three Star coach KC. Sankata coach Raju Kaji Shakya said his side were fortunate to take a point from the game.

“Considering the amount of possession Three Star had, we were lucky to even earn a point,” said Shakya. “We have had a good season but we need to improve offensively if we are to finish higher in the table next year,” added Shakya.