Kathmandu, September 25

Rumpum Jhapa-XI Football Club beat Tribhuvan Army Club 2-1 and reclaimed the top spot in the Red Bull National League at the Surunga grounds today.

With the win, Jhapa climbed at the top of the standing with 21 from 12 matches, replacing Ruslan Three Star Club, who have 19 points from 10 games. Army remained unmoved at third with 17 points. Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club are next with 16 from nine matches.

The match between Jhapa and TAC, which was originally scheduled for Thursday, was postponed because of wet field at the Domalal grounds. The home side took the lead in the third minute of the match when they earned the penalty and Karna Limbu converted from the spot. Limbu doubled the tally 11 minutes later when he netted his second goal of the match following a corner kick from Prabesh Katuwal.

The Armymen, who had a chance to go to the summit with a win, pressed hard for goals and got one back in the 90th minute. Tanka Karki released a long for Jitendra Karki, who controlled the ball and slotted home but it was too late for them to bounce back.

Buddha Air Morang FC will take on Nepal APF Club at the Laxmi Marg grounds in Morang, while Jagadamba Lumbini FC are up against MMC at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur.

Meanwhile, the All Nepal Football Association suspended three each players and officials of Morang FC for their involvement in a brawl after their home match against Three Star Club on Thursday. The disciplinary committee, headed by former vice-president Mahesh Bista, decided to hand players Tek Bahadur Limbu, Surendra Thapa and Sunil Khadka with 18-month suspension from all football related activities, said ANFA.

Likewise, coach Parash Chaudhary and manager Chaman Basnet received one-year suspension, while assistant coach Manish Timalsina was banned for two years, the release added. “According to reports produced by match commissioner, referee assessor, referee in charge and doctor, these players and officials were found to have manhandled and verbally abused FIFA Referee Sudish Pandey and assistant referees Madhav KC and Bikram Chaudhary. Their behaviour also prompted aggressiveness among the crowd,” the release concluded.