KATHMANDU, APRIL 5
Machhindra Football Club crashed out of the preliminary stage of the AFC Cup Qualifiers here at the Dasharath Stadium today.
The Martyrs Memorial A Division League champions faced a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sri Lankan team Blue Star Sports Club in the first match of the Qualifiers. Mohamed Ihsan and Shenal Sandesh scored for the visitors, while Machhindra skipper Sujal Shrestha netted the consolation goal.
Ihsan opened the scoring in the 25th minute when he found the back of the nets following a free kick from Mohamad Fasal after Machhindra midfielder Bishal Rai brought down Mohamed Ashad outside the penalty box. Sandesh doubled the tally three minutes later when he snatched the ball from Ranjit Dhimal after the Machhindra defender failed to clear the ball properly.
Machhindra skipper Sujal Shrestha cut the deficit in the fourth minute of the injury time and it was too late for the home team to stage a comeback in the match. Shrestha found the back of the nets with a header on a cross from Manish Dangi.
Earlier, Blue Star wasted a penalty in the 15th minute.
Machhindra goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha blocked the strike from Arepade Ombebe and Sandesh shot wide in rebound.
Blue Star earned the spot kick after Machhindra defender Devendra Tamang brought down Sandesh inside the danger zone.
Machhindra were unlucky in the 54th minute when Sunil Bal shot a free kick against the cross bar, while Andreas Tchounkeu saw his header hitting the post following a corner from Bal six minutes later. Machhindra came close to reducing the deficit in the 64th minute and this time
Blue Star goalkeeper Lakpriya Fernando denied Sujal Shrestha on Bishal Rai’s pass.
Machhindra ran out of luck in the match when Bimal Gharti Magar headed against the woodwork on a cross from Abhishek Gurung in the 67th minute, while Blue Star skipper Tharindu Eranga made a timely save to deny Tshiring Gurung in rebound. Shrestha saw his drop header sailing over the bar on a cross from Ranjit Dhimal in the 77th minute.
Blue Star SC will now take on ATK Mohun Bagan of India in the second round match on April 12. Machhindra had earned the berth in the Qualifiers as the leaders of the Martyrs Memorial A Division League after the completion of seven rounds. The ANFA had made the provision – sending the leaders after seven rounds to the AFC Cup Qualifiers – due to delay in the league.
Machhindra went on to defend the league title as an unbeaten side.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 6, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.