Lalitpur, October 15

Rum Pum Jhapa-XI FC defeated Nepal APF Club 2-1 in their last match of the Red Bull National League here at the ANFA Complex grounds today and finished fourth.

Jhapa accumulated 27 points from 16 matches, while APF club finished fifth position with 23 points. In the match that had no significance in the top of the table, Jhapa came from behind to end the league with a victory. Ganesh Lawati put APF ahead in the 13th minute when he past Jhapa goalkeeper Dinesh Thapa Magar from the six-yard box following a pass from Nabin Lama.

APF could not hold on to their lead for long as Jhapa levelled the scores two minutes later. Karna Limbu scored intercepted a back pass from APF defender Ramesh Dangal and scored the equaliser. Dinesh Karki scored the winning goal for Jhapa in the 38th minute from the six-yard box.

Jhapa coach Bhagirath Ale ‘Mama’ was happy to end the league with a win. “It was a good experience for the team. We had chances of winning the league but we lost the momentum in the latter part,” he added. APF coach Krishna Thapa said the players did not put any efforts in the match. “As the match did not have any significance, the players did not even fight for the ball and the result went against us,” Thapa added.

On Friday, Tribhuvan Army Club will take on Nepal Police Club. A win against their departmental rivals would ensure the Armymen a second position, while the outcome of the match does not affect NPC seventh position. Table toppers Ruslan Three Star Club and second-placed Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club will fight for the title on Saturday. While a draw is enough for the Three Star, MMC are in a must-win situation.