Rupesh netted the all-important goal in the first minute of stoppage time for the six-time league champion as it climbed one spot to fourth and closed gap with the top three teams in the standings.MMC, which holds one-match advantage over the top three teams, has 22 points from 12 matches while leader Three Star (26 points), second-placed Tribhuvan Army Club (24 points) and Jhapa XI FC (24 points) are among other competitors for the title. APF dropped one spot to fifth with 20 points from 12 matches.
The title contenders - MMC and APF - played under pressure for the must-win match. Coach Krishna Thapa's decision to replace forward Jangbo Sherpa with defender Saroj Koirala backfired for the departmental team. Rupesh, a 37th minute replacement of Shiva Shrestha, netted on a defensive error of Saroj in the zone.
"We came with a must-win mentality and the outcome came as expected. However, we were made to wait until the last moment," MMC coach Raju Kaji Shakya said.
MMC, scheduled to play against Jhapa, Morang FC, Nepal Police Club and Three Star in the remaining fixture, is also under pressure to maintain its winning run in upcoming matches for the title bid. "Winning title is really a tough job and defeat in a single match can make a huge difference. Players are not able to play to their full potential and we also lack playmaker," Shakya said.
MMC intensified attacks in the later stage of the match, keeping APF under constant pressure though it did not make remarkable attempts on goal before the break.
APF coach Thapa pointed out that his team was defeated after it failed to resist pressure in the last moment of the match. "We came under intense pressure in the last moment. Besides, the absence of two forwards in the match also cost us dear," Thapa said. "We resorted to defensive approach at the last moment with the view to earn a draw. But small mistake of the defender cost the match."
APF played in the absence of two forwards - KC brothers Ranjan and Anjan. Ranjan has been ruled out due to heel injury and Anjan, a member of Nepal's U-19 squad is currently in Iran to play the AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers.
MMC's African forward Leonce Dodoz wasted scoring opportunity in the very first minute after his strike at the far post went wide. APF replied in the seventh minute through Nabin Lama forcing defender Sissoko for goalline clearance. In the 24th, Jangbo's strike for APF was denied by MMC custodian Dipesh Yadav. Sushil KC was unfortunate not to score one minute before the break when his scorcher hit the woodwork following deflection at defender Top Bahadur Bista.
Tuesday's Match
Police Vs Morang @ 14:30 NST
Venue: ANFA, Satdobato
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