KATHMANDU: Defending Champions Machhindra Football Club (MFC) climbed to the top of the table by a virtue of better goal difference after a 3-0 victory over Himalayan Sherpa Club (HSC) in the Qatar Airways Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League on Saturday.

MFC and second-place Manang Marsyangdi Club (MMC) both have 10 points from four games.

Sunil Bal, Norlan Zahit Novruzov, and Bimal Gharti Magar all scored for MFC in the victory.

Bal opened the scoring in the 29th minute to give MFC the lead. This was Bal’s third goal in the league. Norlan doubled the goal in the 68th and Bimal marked his return from a lengthy injury spell with a third in the added minutes of the game.

MFC’s coach Prabesh Katuwal expressed his delight with a comfortable victory. “I am happy to win with three goals. Himalayan Sherpa is a good club and had played well in their previous three matches,” said Katuwal.

HSC’s Yugal Kishor Rai said the team played as per the team’s plan. “I am happy with performance but not with the result. I have previously said goals are part of the game but what I am delighted with is the way the team played today,” said Rai.

Three Star Club will play against APF Football Club in the only match on Sunday. The match will be played at 4:45 pm at Dasharath Stadium.