Sports
Jhapa sign off with victory
Jhapa signed off from the Red Bull National League with a narrow 2-1 victory over Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club here at the Anfa Complex on Thursday.Jhapa signed off from the Red Bull National League with a narrow 2-1 victory over Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club here at the Anfa Complex on Thursday.
In a dead rubber which neither made impact in the standings nor result of other crucial games, Jhapa came from behind to register victory with goals from Karna Limbu and Dinesh Karki after skipper Ganesh Lawati had given APF a 13th minute lead.
Jhapa, who once posed themselves as title contenders clinging on to the top spot before the League resumed after the April 25 Great Quake, finished their campaign fourth with 27 points from 16 matches. APF, also in the hunt until three games remaining, ended up behind Jhapa with 23 points. Three Star Club (32) and Manang Marshyangdi Club (31) are in the fray for the title and clash on leagues’ final day on October 17.
Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC), who have a match against Nepal Police Club (seventh with 13 points from 15 games) remaining, have 30 points at the third spot but even a victory in their last game on Friday will not be enough for them to win the title. Even if Three Star settle for a draw against MMC, they go to 33 points and win the league on ‘away goal’ rule.
In the match on Friday, Lawati put the youngest departmental side ahead when he received a pass from Nabin Lama and fired home with the first touch. Limbu equalised two minutes later, the forward cashing in on a mistake from Ramesh Dangal to place the ball beyond the reach of custodian Amrit Chaudhary.
Karki fired home the winner in the 38th minute with a powerful shot at the top corner from inside the box. APF coach Krishna Thapa said his boys were not interested anymore to play the game.
“The match bore no significance to us and my boys did not put a fight,” said Thapa. His Jhapa counterpart Bhagirath Ale was content with the victory but knew where it all went wrong for his side. “We had a good chance to win the title but lost the momentum towards the latter part of the league and it cost the title. Overall, it has been a good experience for us,” said Ale.