Karna Limbu, Dilen Loktan and Yogesh Gurung were on target for the district team as went into break with 2-1 lead to inflicted home team second defeat in a row in the match that marked the completion of second round of the league.The result puts Jhapa on fifth position in the standings with three points, three points adrift joint leaders Three Star and Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) and one point behind Armed Police Force (APF) and Tribhuvan Army Club. Lumbini has equal three points as that of Jhapa while Police, Morang and Far Western Football Club are yet to open account.
Despite conceding an early goal, Jhapa came up with spirited show, exchanged swift passes and dominated the play. Police looked lackluster and 'math player' failed to play to their caliber in the words of its coach Birat Krishna Shrestha.
"The match player (senior players) did not perform to their level. Police lacked spirit unlike Jhapa. Senior players like Rabin Shrestha and Bhola Silwal lacked confidence. We conceded first and second goal due to dull nature of players. The defeat is a big setback in out title ambition," said Shrestha whose side had gone down 1-0 against Lumbini FC in its first match.
Jhapa's veteran coach Bhagirath Ale said that the win over the departmental giant will boost the confidence level of the team. "Since we had played them numerous times in the past we were aware about the loopholes and strength of the Police. We exploited that," said Ale.
Police had taken lead through penalty in the 19th minute after Jhapa defender Dilen Loktan handed ball inside the zone in his bid to deny Dinesh Gurung's strike at an open net. Police skipper Jumanu Rai converted the resulting penalty.
The team from the far eastern side of the country came closer to scoring in the 26th minute, but Yogesh Gurung's header from the crowded zone smashed the bar in an acute cross of Narendra Limbu.
Jhapa's effort was finally rewarded in the 40th minute when Karna flick headed Dinesh Karki's corner leaving Police goalie Ritesh Thapa clueless. Dilen, who had conceded the penalty, amended his mistake a minute later when he collected Rabin Shrestha's back pass to goalie and then beat the last man to net the second goal.
Jumanu's effort to hit back the equalizer through a diving header in the injury time of first half was foiled by Jhapa goalie Dinesh Thapa Magar with a spectacular save.
Police looked lackluster after the interval and failed to create single threat. Unlike Police, Jhapa dominated the field. Yogesh Gurung sealed the victory for Jhapa three minutes from time with a cool finish beating past goalie Ritesh.
There will be three matches on Sunday after a day rest on Saturday. Three Star will meet Tribhuvan Army Club at the Dasharath Stadium, Far Western Football Club will host Morang FC in Dhangadhi and Lumbini FC will host Jhapa in Rupandehai.
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