Basnet strikes late as Morang hold Policemen

Lalitpur, October 6

Nepal Police Club (NPC) and Buddha Air Morang FC played a 1-1 draw in a Red Bull National League match at the ANFA Complex grounds on Tuesday.

NPC, who played their fourth draw in 14 matches in the current league, remained unmoved at the seventh position with 13 points, while Morang are at the bottom of the nine-team competition after their seventh draw in 15 matches. Morang are yet to taste victory in the ongoing league. Ruslan Three Star Club are at the top of the table with 26 points, while Tribhuvan Army Club and Jhapa-XI are second and third place respectively, with 24 points each.

NPC took lead in the match through a deflected goal from Yogesh Shrestha in the 77th minute when his angled shot from the box struck the head of Morang’s Suren Khawas before entering the goal. At a time when NPC were about to celebrate their victory, Morang levelled the scores in the second minute of the injury time. Niraj Basnet fired home after collecting a pass from Raj Paudel. NPC were boosted by the return of Suraj BK and Suman Subedi — who were out with injuries in previous matches, while Morang missed the services of regular goalkeeper Kishor Giri because of injury.

Morang FC coach Kumar Pradhan was happy with the performance of his side. “We were able to stop NPC without our key players,” Pradhan said. “We will field our full team in the upcoming matches after the return of regular goalie Kishor Giri and two U-19 players Dona Thapa and Chhiring Gurung,” he added. NPC coach Birat Krishna Shrestha was not happy with his boys’ showing. “Players took the match lightly from the start and they came under pressure in the latter part of the match,” he said. “Despite having the lead, our defence line was open and that allowed the opponents to score the equaliser,” Shrestha said.

On Wednesday, Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club will take on Rumpum Jhapa-XI at the ANFA Complex grounds. While Jhapa will be eyeing to reclaim the top spot with a win, Manang can climb up to second if they win the match.