KATHMANDU: Pokhara Thunders FC climbed to the top of the table with a 1-0 victory over Sporting Ilam de Mechi in the Nepal Super League (NSL) at the Dasharath Stadium on Wednesday.
Sanjiv Bista scored the sole goal of the match in the second minute of the second half, consigning Sporting Ilam to its third defeat in four games. With the defeat, Sporting Ilam is in seventh position in the league with three points after four games, while Pokhara Thunders have eight points after as many games.
Ilam started the match brightly and had the opportunity to take the lead as early as the sixth minute. Amath Ndaw beautifully dropped his free-kick inside the box. Ilam’s Ibrahima Djite received the ball and created a pass for Omar Thiom whose header flew over the bar.
Pokhara created its first move in the 20th minute of the game. Dipesh Ale Magar executed a beautiful pass for Moses Twum inside the box, but the Ghanaian couldn’t connect.
Ilam created another beautiful move in the 29th minute. Amath Ndaw took the ball from the center and created a beautiful opportunity for Fode Camara inside the penalty box. However, Pokhara keeper Yves Preso punched away Camara’s shot. Preso again saved Omar Thiom’s powerful shot in the dying minutes of the first half.
Pokhara started the second half with an attacking intent. Moses Twum’s powerful shot in the very first minute hit Ilam keeper Bikesh Kuthu and rolled across the goal. Pokhara’s pressure paid dividends in the very next minute. Sanjib Bista scored with an easy tap-in after Ilam’s Omar Thiom failed to deal with substitute Ayush Ghalan’s corner kick.
Ilam had the opportunity to equalize in the 67th minute. Amath Ndaw’s free-kick found Bimal Pandey unmarked inside the box. However, his header missed the post.
FC Chitwan will take on Butwal Lumbini FC in the NSL on Thursday.
Himal Press
06 Dec 2023
