Syangtan struck in the first minute of the second-half injury time to secure all three points that saw the departmental team climb to the top of the standings with 14 points and pushing Jhapa to second, who have 13 after seven games.

APF coach Krishna Thapa said his side was lucky to have defeated the “strong Jhapa” team. “At best, I was expecting to steal a point from the game but we were fortunate to have earned all three points,” said the APF coach.

In Biratnagar, Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) were held to a goalless stalemate by home team Morang FC.  The result meant TAC hold fourth place with 11 points, only ahead of Three Star Club and Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) on goal difference. TAC coach Megh Raj KC rued on his side’s  poor finishing. “But credit also goes to Morang who held firm against the better team like the Army,” added KC. His Morang FC counterpart Paras Chaudhary believed earning a point against TAC was a remarkable achievement for his team.

In Butwal, Three Star recorded an edgy 1-0 win over Lumbini FC with Santosh Sahakhala goal separating the two sides. Sahukhala scored the decider in the 78th minute.

Likewise in Dhangadi, struggling Nepal Police Club (NPC) rallied twice to secure a 2-2 draw against home team Far-western FC. Cedric Aba put Far-west ahead in the 24th minute but Binod Karki scored an equaliser only a minute later. The home team restored the lead yet again when Lawal Afeez scored in the 74th minute. Rabin Shrestha equalised again for the departmental team 10 minutes from time.

Results

Jhapa 0-1 APF

Lumbini 0-1 Three Star

Far-west 2-2 NPC

Morang 0-0 TAC