KATHMANDU, APRIL 25
Biratnagar City Football Club and Butwal Lumbini Football Club registered victories in the Khukri Nepal Super League here at the Dasharath Stadium today.
Biratnagar defeated Dhangadhi Football Club 3-0 on goals from Bikram Dhimal, Odelaja Somide and Santosh Tamang to earn full three points from the first match. Dhimal put Biratnagar ahead in the 16th minute when Dhimal slotted from the crowded d-box.
Biratnagar added two more goals in the second half to complete the comprehensive victory. Somide doubled the tally in the 57th minute, while Tamang put the issue beyond doubt with the team's third goal in the 69th minute after the capitalised on a poor defending from Dhangadhi. Biratnagar duo Santosh Tamang and Nir Kumar Rai were named the man of the match and emerging player respectively.
Biratnagar coach Yan La was satisfied with the victory but he pointed out the need of improvement in upcoming matches. "The boys played well in today's match but we need to do more hard work in days to come. The players need to coordinate among themselves especially in forward line,"La added.
Dhangadhi coach Yugal Kishor Rai accepted the players were not able to perform to their potential. "We are weak in attacking as well as defending. I think the players found it hard to show their natural game as it was the first match. I am sure we will put up a strong show from the next match," said Rai.
In an evening match, Butwal Lumbini beat Pokhara Thunders 2-0. Foreign recruit Armand Beadoum netted a goal for Butwal Lumbini, while Pokhara defender Ajit Bhandari scored an own goal in the second half.
Beadoum put BLFC ahead in the 42nd minute when the unmarked striker headed home following a free kick from Man Bahadur Pariyar.
BLFC doubled the tally in the 76th minute, thanks to an own goal from Bhandari, who put the ball into his own nets while trying to clear the ball centred by Amir Shrestha.
Armand Beadoum was named the man of the match, while his Butwal Lumbini FC teammate Amir Shrestha was adjudged the emerging player.
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-ofthe-match in each game will receive Rs 25,000. The emerging footballer will be awarded with Rs 10,000 in each match.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 26, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
