Ilam hands Lalitpur first defeat in NSL

KATHMANDU: Lalitpur City FC missed the chance to go top of the Nepal Super League (NSL) table as Sporting Ilam de Mechi handed it first defeat in the league at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Fode Camara scored the match’s only goal to ensure that Ilam ended its NSL campaign with a win. Ilam has eight points from eight games with two wins, two draws, and four defeats.

The result has dealt a heavy blow to Lalitpur’s hopes for a top-four finish. Lalitpur City has 10 points from seven games. It has won two, drew four and lost one match.

Lalitpur had a chance to take the lead in as early as the fourth minute. Seeing Ilam keeper Bikesh Kuthu out of position, Sesehang Angdembe unleashed a powerful shot. However, Ilam defender Bimal Pandey saved the 25-yard shot. Dinesh Henjan had the opportunity to give his team the lead in the 23rd minute, but Bikesh dived to his right to deny Dinesh. Lalitpur captain Ananta Tamang unleashed another shot from the resulting corner, but Bikesh saved it comfortably.

Lalitpur was unlucky in the 37th minute as Bikesh punched Ananta Tamang’s shot which hit the crossbar and went out.

Ilam returned with more attacking intent in the second half. Fode Camara missed a chance to score in the 53rd minute on Nabin Lama’s corner.

Sheshehang’s shot after a beautiful setpiece by Anil Maharjan flew above Ilam’s post in the 57th minute.

Ilam took the lead in the 59th minute as Fode Camara stole the ball from Kareem Omolja’s possession and slotted the ball into the post through the legs of Lalitpur keeper Jeffrey Baltus.

Lalitpur made a series of attacks after going one goal down. Paba Kebe couldn’t score when sent through by Anil Maharjan in the 62nd minute. Dinesh Henjan unleashed another shot in the 74th minute, but his shot took a flick on Imoh Ezekiel’s head and was collected by Ilam keeper Bikesh.

Ilam failed to double the scoreline as Camara beat Kareem but failed to score in a one-on-one situation with Lalitpur keeper Baltus in the 80th minute.

Lalitpur failed to get the equalizer as Ezekiel’s header beat Ilam keeper Biksesh Kuthu but was cleared by Ilam defender Ashish Gurung.