Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Dhangadhi climbed to the top of the Nepal Super League (NSL) table by defeating FC Chitwan 1-0 at the Dasharath Stadium on Thursday.
With the win, Dhangadhi has continued its unbeaten run in the league. It has collected 11 points from five games, two more than Lalitpur City FC – the only other undefeated side in the nine-team league.
Dhangadhi scored after just two minutes when Olawale Afeez unleashed a shot from a tight angle on the right side of the post. The ball caught Chitwan goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha by surprise as he could only watch the ball fly into the left top corner of the post.
Chitwan launched a series of attacks on Dhangadhi’s post but failed to get the back of the net. Nawayug Shrestha set up Chhiring Gurung in the 38th minute of the game. However, Dhangadhi’s Randip Paudel cleared Gurung’s shot. Chitwan was awarded penalty in the injury time of the first half after Richard Osei Agyemang handled the ball in the crowded box. Bimal Gharti Magar took the spot kick, but his shot was saved brilliantly by Dhangadhi keeper Tikendra Thapa, who was playing his first game in the league.
Thapa made two good saves after the restart.
Ashish Chaudhary had the opportunity to double the lead for Dhangadhi in the 57th minute when Afeez intercepted a poor pass from Chitwan’s Marko Ivanovic. Afeez dodged Chitwan goalkeeper Shrestha and created a beautiful pass for Chaudhary. But Chaudhary couldn’t direct the ball into the empty net.
Agyemang made a goal-line clearance in the dying minutes of the second half to deny Afriyie Quah and ensure Dhangadhi gets all three points.
