After the normal 90 minute and 30-minute extra time ended in 2-2 draw, the match was decided on tie-breaker. Yogesh Shrestha and Bhola Silwal were denied by Jhapa goalkeeper Dinesh Thapa in spot kicks. It was Jhapa’s second victory over NPC after their 1-0 success during the Pathari Gold Cup last four match three months earlier.

Karna Limbu, Buddha Chemjong, Dilen Loktan and Devendra Tamang converted their spot kicks for Jhapa, while Rabi Thapa’s attempt was blocked by NPC keeper Ritesh Thapa. Nir Kumar Rai and Suman Subedi were the only players to convert their penalties for the Policemen.

Jhapa played an attacking game from the outset and quickly went ahead with a sixth-minute goal from Yogesh Gurung, who scored on a corner from Limbu. NPC, however, hit back soon with a 13th minute goal from Jumanu Rai. The NPC skipper scored in a rebound after Thapa punched a powerful shot from Bharat Shah.

Both teams headed into the second half locked on 1-1 and it was once again Jhapa who went ahead through Gurung. Gurung scored on a pass from Bishal Rai in the 62nd minute. Just as it seemed Jhapa were going to win the game, Man Bahadur Pariyar produced a stunner in the 90th minute to level the game.

Jhapa will now take on Lumbini FC on Wednesday. Gurung was named man-of-the-match. Jhapa coach Bhagirath Ale hailed his team’s team coordination. “We played with a great spirit but our boys were not able to hold firm in the normal time,” said Ale. His NPC counterpart Birat Krishna Shrestha blamed his defeat to poor marking from his players.

“We allowed them (Jhapa) to score the goals. Our defence let them play openly and that exerted pressure on ourselves,” added Shrestha. In a high-voltage match on Tuesday, Manang Marshyangdi Club will take on Three Star Club. The two teams recently clashed in the Aaha Gold Cup in Pokhara with Three Star winning 1-0.