Opoku hat-trick helps Birgunj thump Kathmandu 4-1 in NSL

KATHMANDU: William Opoku’s hat-trick helped bottom-placed Birgunj United FC register a 4-1 victory over Kathmandu Rayzrs FC in the Nepal Super League (NSL) at the Dasharath Stadium on Thursday.

Although the match was evenly poised and ended in a 1-1 draw in the first half after Birgunj keeper Deep Karki saved Kathmandu’s Shokhrukh penalty, Birgunj scored three goals in the second half to register a commanding victory.

With the victory, Birgunj has kept its hope of reaching the playoffs alive. Birgunj has eight points from seven games and sits in the sixth position. Kathmandu, which is in fifth place, has nine points from seven games. While Pokhara Thunders have already qualified for the playoffs, five sides are in the race to get the remaining three slots. Kathmandu Rayzrs can qualify for the playoffs if it beats Lalitpur City in its final league match on Saturday. Birgunj can fancy a top-four finish if it wins its final fixture and the results of other matches go its way.

Kathmandu took the lead in the 20th minute after Birgunj defender Tej Tamang failed to clear Kuldeep Karki’s cross and the ball fell into the path of Onguene Junior. The left-winger slotted home past a diving Birgunj keeper Deep Karki.

Kathmandu had the opportunity to double the lead as it was awarded a penalty after Dipenk Raj Singh brought Kathmandu captain Hisub Thapaliya down inside the box in the 37th minute. However, Shokhrukh’s penalty was saved brilliantly by the Birgunj keeper.

Kathmandu had the opportunity to double the lead in the 37th minute. However, Shokhrukh’s penalty was saved brilliantly by the Birgunj keeper.

William Opoku equalized for Birgunj from the spot in the injury time of the first half. Birgunj was awarded the penalty after the referee ruled that Andres Nia had handled the ball while dealing with Sushil Lama’s strike.

Birgunj took the lead just one minute into the second half. Obed Owusu collected Dipen’s long pass and unleashed a clever pass into the six-yard box. Kathmandu keeper Anjal Shrestha could only flick the ball toward his post, which was slotted into the top corner by the marching Sunil Khadka.

Opoku established a two-goal lead over Kathmandu in the 56th minute. Sushil Lama dropped his corner kick near the unmarked striker who made no mistake to get his second of the game.

Opoku got his hat-trick in the next minute with a brilliant strike. The Ghanaian forward took control of a long ball played by Sushil Lama and lobbed a clever shot from outside the box over advancing Kathmandu keeper Anjal.

Pokhara Thunders and Dhangadhi FC will play in the first match of the league on Friday. Likewise, Jhapa FC will play against FC Chitwan in the second match of the day.