KATHMANDU: Lalitpur City FC secured its spot in the final of the Nepal Super League (NSL) by defeating Pokhara Thunders 2-1 in extra time in the 2nd Qualifier at Dasharath Stadium on Thursday.
Substitute Kushal Deuba scored the winning goal for Lalitpur, which played with ten men for more than 90 minutes, in the 9th minute of extra time after regulation time ended in a 1-1 draw.
Lalitpur found itself in a difficult position after Nikhil Kadam was given marching orders by the referee when he received his second booking in the 33rd minute of the match. Despite this setback, Lalitpur took the lead in injury time of the first half. Papa Ibou Kebe delivered a long pass from his half to Imoh Ezekiel, who, overcoming the offside trap, beat defenders Dinesh Rajbanshi and Franklin Tallah and scored a beautiful goal past Yves Preso.
Pokhara failed to make the one-man advantage until the 71st minute of the game when it finally got the equalizer. Joi Aidoo lobbed a beautiful ball into the Lalitpur box, and Stephen Annor’s header hit the post and went into the net with Lalitpur keeper Baltus rooted in his position.
With both teams cautious not to concede, the regulation 90 minutes ended in a 1-1 draw.
Lalitpur took the lead in the 9th minute of extra time when captain Ananta Tamang headed the ball into the six-yard box after Omoloja Kareem lobbed it into the left flank. Exploiting the hesitation of Pokhara defenders and keeper Preso in clearing the ball, substitute Kushal Deuba raced into the six-yard box and scored from a simple tap-in. Lalitpur defended the remaining minutes resolutely and was the better side despite being one man down.
Lalitpur City FC will now face Dhangadhi FC in the NSL final on Saturday.
Dhasharath Stadium (File Photo)
Himal Press
28 Dec 2023
