Karna Limbu put Jhapa ahead as early as in the fourth minute through a spot kick. Jhapa was awarded the penalty after Buddha collide with Police goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha in a one-on-one situation inside the box, prompting the referee to award the penalty. Buddha doubled the advantage in the 36th minute with a strike from outside the zone. He was later adjudged the man-of-the match. Earlier, goalie Bishal had punched Karna Limbu's scorcher from outside zone in the 30th minute.
Jhapa will take on Bangladeshi team Rahamat MF Society in the next match.
Police, the four time champion and three time runner up of the tournament, failed to create notable chances during the match.
Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha pointed out lack of experienced players in the team for the defeat. "Many players of the team are ageing, thus we came up with new and inexperienced players," said Shrestha, who also rued missed chances. "We came under pressure after conceding the early goal through penalty and also failed to achieve our plans of scoring in early moment of the match."
Jhapa XI was participating in the tournament for the second time. Jhapa was defeated in the quarterfinal of the last edition. "Though Police is a strong side, it came under pressure after we scored early," Jhapa coach Bhagirath Ale opined after the match.
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