Jumanu strikes in injury time to seal Police victory
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Jhapa reaches final for the fourth time
KATHMANDU, April 14: High flying Jhapa XI settled for a goalless stalemate against Three Star Club at its home while Jumanu Rai's last-gasp winner gave Nepal Police Club a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morang FC in its away match on Monday's fixtures of the Red Bull National League.
The stalemate at the Domalal Stadium in Birtamod put Jhapa level on 10 points with leader Manang Marshyangdi Club, which has a match in hand. Jhapa is second by the virtue of goal difference and enjoys two points cushion over third-placed Three Star.
Three losses from five matches kept Morang rooted at the bottom with two points.
Man-of-the-match adjudged Jumanu snatched all three points from Morang at the Sahid Stadium after scoring in the first minute of the second half injury time to reinstate some hope on Police which had struggled until its last two matches.
Alan Neupane was instrumental for Jhapa in holding Three Star. He was later adjudged man-of-the-match. Three Star came closest at breaking the deadlock in the 87th minute but Prakash Buthaki's powerful strike hit the woodwork.
Jhapa XI coach Bhagirath Ale said that his team gave a good fight against the star-studded visiting opponents.
"We failed to capitalize on some of our chances but I am very satisfied with my team's performance today. It's not that Three Star did not have chances but we stood tall to prevent them from scoring," said Ale.
" We are high on hopes to continue our momentum in the remaining matches of the league," he added.
