Jhapa end Dhangadhi’s unbeaten run

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 21: Jhapa FC (JFC) revived its hopes for the playoffs at the Nepal Super League after ending the unbeaten run of Dhangadhi FC (DFC) with a 2-0 win at Nepal Super League on Wednesday. 

Jhapa has now climbed to the fourth position with 10 points in seven matches. Dhangadhi, which had won three and tied three, has to wait for a confirmation to book its place in the playoffs after the defeat. Dhangadhi stands at the second position of the table with 12 points in seven matches.

Dhangadhi and Jhapa will be playing their final league matches against table-topper Pokhara Thunders FC, the team which has already qualified for the playoffs, and eighth-placed FC Chitwan on December 22 respectively.

The two goals of the match came in the second half. The first half ended goalless as both teams failed to convert several chances into goals. 

JFC created a chance in the very first minute as Prashant Laksam stole the ball after the kickoff by DFC and passed the ball inside the box for Jorge Pelaez Sanchez, commonly known as Canillas. However, Canillas failed to chip the ball above Mohamad Taha, DFC’s goalie. Canillas missed a similar chance in the 24th minute. Taha also blocked a powerful shot from Canillas in the 41st minute.

On the other hand, JFC’s Stefan Cupic also had his hands full. DFC had five out of seven shots on target until the 36th minute. Striker Ahmad Hijazi among other DFC players tried to score but failed.

After DFC’s pressure in the first half, the second half was also expected to be similar. Meanwhile, it was JFC that scored two and kept the chances for the playoffs alive. A cross by Chhiring Lama inside the box from the right flank was headed for the first goal by Anjan Bista, captain and marquee player for JFC, in the 53rd minute. 

DFC coach Yougal Kishor Rai made three substitutions in the 65th minute and brought striker Afeez Olawale into the field with the expectation of making a comeback. However, it was again JFC that scored.

A pass by Pradip Lama, a substitute player, inside the box found Canillas in the 77th minute. Canillas pushed the ball towards the goal, but Samiraj Thokar, another substitute, got the final touch to the second goal of the match. Despite bringing Olawale, DFC failed to make a comeback. Moreover, DFC could not score even when JFC fell short of a man after Dhiraj Thakali was sent off with a red card in the 79th minute.

Anjan Bista was adjudged the player of the match. “We will come with a winning mentality in the final match to keep our chances for the playoffs alive,” said Bista after receiving the award.

Title defender Kathmandu Rayzrs FC is competing against Birgunj United FC on Thursday. Kathmandu has to win the match against Birgunj, which is the bottom team in the league, to play in the playoffs as it dropped to the fifth position after Jhapa won against Dhangadhi.