Ganesh Khadka scored the only goal in the 81st minute for the home team Jhapa at the Domalal ground as they go two points clear on top of the league standings. Jhapa have 13 points from six matches and the second-placed MMC have 11 points.

Jhapa coach Bhagirath Ale said the victory was a huge boost for his side’s title bid. “Winning against MMC will help instil confidence in players that they can go on to lift the trophy,” said Ale. MMC coach Raju Kaji Shakya rued the poor finishing to the defeat. “We played better but poor finishing up front cost us dear,” said Shakya.

In the other matches of the day, Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club overcame hosts Lumbini Football Club 3-2 at Anfa Technical ground in Butwal and Far-western FC and Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) shared the a point each after a 1-1 draw in Dhangadi.

Heman Gurung, Nabin Lama and Ganesh Lawati scored a goal each for APF, who moved third in the standing with 11 points, APF are behind MMC only on goal difference. Gurung provided an early second minute lead for APF followed by goals from Lama and Lawati in the ninth and 19th minute respectively. The home team fought back after the break, scoring twice but did not prevent them from the defeat. Pukar Gahatraj struck in the 54th minute when Lumbini were awarded a penalty before Manoj Gurung added another for Lumbini in the 65th minute. The defeat leaves Lumbini eighth with four points in the nine-team league.

In Dhangadi, Tek Bahadur Budathoki put TAC ahead in the fourth minute only for Ganesh Lawati to equalise in the 10th minute. The departmental team slipped one placed down to fourth with 10 points. Far-western remained seventh with six points.