The match was rescheduled for Monday after heavy downpour and thunderstorm interrupted the play as soon as the regulation time ended in a 2-2 draw. The organizers decided to re-conduct the match on Monday at 13 NST after consultations with referees and officials of both the teams.[break]
The regulation time of the match remained highly competitive. The record four time champions Police took an early sixth minute lead with a goal from skipper Ananta Thapa.
Thapa sent the ball past net from box in a pass of Parbat Pandey after Sherpa defenders failed to clear a corner taken by Dinesh Gurung.
But the lead could not last for more than seven minutes as Ugandan Allen Oryek cancelled the lead for Sherpa in the 13th minute. Oryek made a brilliant scoring in a short pass of Dipak Rai.
Sherpa than bounced back in the match and took lead in the 14th minute through penalty from Tanzanian Castory D Mumbara. Sherpa were awarded with penalty after Police defender Suraj BK handed ball inside the box off Ritesh Malla´s shot. However, Ramesh Katwal hit back the equalizer 12 minutes later after he collected a free kick in the box taken by Pandey.
Both the teams appeared aggressive from the beginning and created some attractive opportunities. Police missed scoring chance in the 23rd minute when Dinesh Gurung hit the ball wide after goalie Rupesh Shrestha was beaten. Similarly, goalie Shrestha denied Parbat Pandey and Suman Subedi in the second half.
Sherpa also missed several scoring chances. Police goalie Bishal Shrestha caught Oryek in the 7th minute and 10 minute later Rai failed to hit the target with only goalie to beat. Rai again failed to collect Nabin Neupane´s pass in the box. Similarly, Mumbara was denied twice by goalie Bishal Shrestha.
Police coach Birat Krishna Shrestha said that his side failed to deliver result as five players of his playing set including Jumanu Rai, Bharat Khawas, Ritesh Thapa, Bhola Silwal and Rabin Shrestha were absent as they are preparing for the AFC Challenge Cup and four others were injured.
Sherpa coach Nirmal Lama expressed satisfaction on the performance of his side. "I am happy that we were able to throw tough challenge to the league winners. We will come up with winning strategy in the next match," he said. Sherpa were promoted to top flight in the current season.
Defending Champions Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) will play against Workers Martyrs Memorial Club on Saturday after Police Vs Sherpa rematch.
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