Lalitpur, September 21

Nepal Police Club (NPC) came from behind twice to hold 10-man Ruslan Three Star Club (TSC) to a 2-2 draw in the Red Bull National League here at ANFA Complex grounds today.

In other matches, Sudur Biscuit Far-west FC played a 1-1 stalemate with Jhapa-XI at the Domalal Rajbanshi Stadium in Jhapa, while Jagadamba Lumbini FC and Morang FC settled for a 1-1 draw at Laxmimarg grounds in Morang.

With the results, Jhapa reclaimed the top spot with 18 points, while TSC remained unchanged at third with 16 points. Far-west are fourth with 14 points, whereas NPC are at the seventh position with nine points, one more than Lumbini FC, who are at eighth spot.

Morang, who are yet to taste victory, are the bottom with six points.

In the highly-tensed match at the ANFA Complex, NPC came from behind twice to steal a point from Three Star. Skipper Sagar Thapa put TSC ahead in the 37th minute with a powerful strike from 35 yards in rebound after NPC goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa punched Jagjeet Shrestha’s corner.

NPC levelled the scores through Jumanu Rai in the 42nd minute when he dodged as many as two defenders before chipping over advancing goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong.

NPC goalie Ritesh Thapa made three saves from Bijay Gurung, Nirajan Khadka and Jagjeet Shrestha in the 63rd minute. In the 69th minute, TSC substitute Santosh Sahukhala earned the spot kick against NPC goalie Thapa and converted it to put the team ahead for the second time.

TSC were reduced to 10 men and conceded a penalty in the 81st minute when Bishnu Sunuwar received marching orders for a foul against Bharat Shah. Jumanu Rai stepped up to take the kick but his shot hit the crossbar and substitute Jogesh Shrestha scored in the rebound to level the scores.

Three Star coach Rajendra Tamang was not happy with his players’ performance. “The international players in the squad took unnecessary pressure and our defense line showed the character in today’s match,” said Tamang. Tamang was also not happy with the referee Bikash Mahat’s officiating. “The referees are outdated. As there will be no outcome, it’s worthless to complain,” he added.

NPC coach Birat Krishna Shrestha said they had to gamble in the match because of injury problems in the squad. “We risked injured Ritesh Thapa as we conceded unnecessary goals in previous match because of goalkeeper’s mistakes,” said Shrestha.

“We had targeted to win the match but we are satisfied with the draw,” he added. Shrestha also complained about referee’s decisions. “Referees should lead the match and they need to be upgraded as they are the key in football development,” said Shrestha.

In Jhapa, Shiva Subedi provided the lead to Far-west in the 65th minute, while Bishal Rai levelled the scores for Jhapa in the 75th minute.

In Morang, the home team went ahead in the 51st minute with a goal from Sumit Khadka, while Laxman Ruchal scored in the 83rd minute to give Lumbini FC a point.