KATHMANDU, APRIL 24

Kathmandu RayZrs began the Khukri Nepal Super League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Lalitpur City Football Club here at the Dasharath Stadium today.

RayZrs' foreign recruit Messouke E Oloumou scored the solitary goal of the match in the second half after both the teams failed to break the deadlock in the first period. Oloumou found the back of the nets in rebound after Lalitpur goalkeeper Arpan Karki blocked the initial strike of Stephene Samir DB Binong in 66th minute.

RayZrs were unlucky in the 33rd minute when Binong's strike from outside the box struck against the bar. Lalitpur came close to levelling the scores in the 71st minute but RayZrs goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu made a brilliant save to deny Nurlan Novruzov Zahid.

Lalitpur pushed hard for the equaliser in the dying moments of the match and they did create a couple of chances in the injury time but Kuthu stood firm at the goal to ensure RayZrs walk away with full three points in the first match of the tournament.

Sanjog Rai of RayZrs was named the man of the match and he earned Rs 25,000, while his teammate Bishwash Shrestha was adjudged the emerging player and he received Rs 10,000. On Sunday, Biratnagar City Football Club will take on Dhangadhi Football Club in the first match, while Butwal Lumbini FC will play against Pokhara Thunders in the second game.

A total of seven teams are taking part in the first-ever franchise-based football tournament organised by Nepal Sports and Event Management Pvt Ltd under the sponsorship of Khukri. The winners of the tournament will be richer by Rs 3.5 million, while the runners-up will get Rs 1.5 million.

The best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward and emerging player of the tournament will get Rs 100,000 each, while man-of-the-match in each game will receive Rs 25,000. An emerging footballer, except for 'A' class and foreign players, will be awarded with Rs 10,000 in each match. A version of this article appears in the print on April 25, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.