KATHMANDU: Captain Arik Bista scored a spectacular free-kick to help Butwal Lumbini FC register its first victory, defeating Sporting Ilam de Mechi in the Nepal Super League at Dasharath Stadium on Sunday.
Butwal Lumbini took the lead in the fourth minute of the second half. Gillespie Jung Karki beat three Sporting Ilam defenders inside the box and created a beautiful pass for Stephen Binong. The Cameroonian marksman made no mistake and directed the ball past Sporting Mechi keeper Bikesh Kuthu.
Sporting Ilam got the opportunity to equalize in the 58th minute of the game as Butwal Lumbini defender Ernest handled Dipesh Ghale’s goal-bound shot. However, Kuthu saved Fode Camara’s weak penalty.
Sporting Ilam missed the chance to equalize in the 68th minute as midfielder Abdoukge Ba failed to direct Amath Ndaws’s beautiful pass to the post.
However, Sporting Ilam finally got the equalizer in the 78th minute of the game. Butwal Lumbini keeper Mohamadou Moussi could only punch Ilam’s Santosh Khatri’s powerful shot. Before Mohamadou could recover, Abdoukge Ba ran to the ball and scored with a simple tap-in.
Butwal Lumbini took the lead in the 87th minute. Butwal Lumbini was awarded the free-kick after Amath fouled Stephen Binong. Captain Arik Bista scored from a beautiful free-kick to give his side the first win in three games.
With the victory, Butwal Lumbini has climbed to seventh in the league. Sporting Ilam is sixth with a better goal difference.
Kathmandu RayZrs will take on Jhapa FC in the NSL on Monday.
Himal Press
03 Dec 2023
