Khadka strikes late as Biratnagar share points with Butwal-Lumbini
KATHMANDU, MAY 1
Dhangadhi Football Club outplayed FC Chitwan 3-0 to move atop the Khukri Nepal Super League here at the Dasharath Stadium today.
Nishan Limbu, Olawale Oladipo Afeez and Buddha Bal Tamang scored a goal each for Dhangadhi in the second half after the two teams failed to break the deadlock in the first period.
With their second win in four matches, Dhangadhi moved atop the standings with seven points, while Chitwan remained at the bottom of the seven-team competition with two points.
After a goalless first half, Limbu opened the scoring for Dhangadhi in the 64th minute following a cross from Nishan Khadka, while Afeez doubled the tally five minutes later after being fed by Limbu.
The goal was fourth for Afeez in five matches.
Chitwan thought they reduced the deficit in the 79th minute when Ruddy Jonathan put the ball into the nets only to be ruled offside. Instead Dhangadhi extended the lead in counterattack when Tanka Basnet fed Afeez and the striker released the ball for Tamang, who did no mistake in burying the ball into the goal to put the issue beyond doubt with 10 minutes remaining.
Chitwan created two chances in the first half but they were let down by the forwards and the team paid the price for the errors. George Prince Karki struck against the bar in rebound after Dhangadhi goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu blocked a strike from Goran Jarkovic in the 23rd minute. Karki came close again in the 32nd minute in counter attach when he dodged two defenders inside the penalty box but he wasted all the efforts with a wide shot.
Nishan Limbu was named the man of the match, while his Dhangadhi teammate Buddha Bal Tamang won the emerging player's award.
In another match, Butwal-Lumbini FC and Biratnagar City FC played a 2-2 draw after the former failed to preserve the lead twice. The draw meant Butwal-Lumbini accumulated five points from three matches and are at the third position, ahead of Biratnagar, who have four points.
Omolaja Nurain Kareem put Butwal-Lumbini ahead in the sixth minute when he slammed home from inside the box, while Pedro Javier Manzi Cruz levelled the scores for Biratnagar following an assist from Adleja Oluwawunmi three minutes before the first half whistle.
Laxman Ruchal restored Butwal-Lumbini's lead in the 68th minute after the unmarked striker volleyed home from close range on William Opoku Asiedu's pass.
The match was coming to its end before Sunil Khadka of Biratnagar netted the equaliser in the third minute of the injury time following a free kick from Santosh Tamang.
A version of this article appears in the print on May 2, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
