Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Machhindra FC advanced to the second preliminary round of the AFC Asia Cup defeating Bhutanese league champion Paro FC 3-2 victory at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Tuesday.
Bimal Gharti Magar, Ayush Ghalan and Afeez Olawale scored a goal each for Machhindra, while Kazuo and Evans found the net for the Bhutanese side.
With this victory, Machhindra FC has booked a date with Indian Super League (ISL) side Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the second preliminary round match to be played in Kolkata on August 16.
Paro FC took an early lead in the match as Machhindra goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha deflected a shot by Paro FC’s Japanese forward, Kazuo, into his own net in the 10th minute.
Machhindra swiftly responded and got an equalizer after just two minutes. Bimal Gharti Magar headed Ayush Ghalan’s beautiful cross after a short corner kick. Magar subsequently turned provider for Ayush three minutes later when he created a beautiful pass that allowed the young forward to breach Paro FC’s goalkeeper.
Olawale clinched Machhindra’s third goal in the 39th minute on a counterattack. He scored a beautiful header utilizing Kareem Omolaja’s cross from the right wing.
A lapse in focus by Machhindra FC allowed Paro FC to claw back in the game. Although Machhindra’s goalkeeper Shrestha made a beautiful save from Yasi Dorjee’s attempt to preserve the two-goal lead in the 58th minute, Evans rifled a beautiful shot past the Machhindra goalie in the 71st minute.
Shrestha made a beautiful save in the 90th minute, denying Kazuo’s close-range shot from the six-yard box.
Bimal Gharti Magar had the opportunity to extend Machhindra’s lead in the injury time. But he failed to score even after beating the Bhuantese goalkeeper.
