Super Sub Olawale sends Dhangadhi to top

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec.1: Afeez Olawale came from the bench to score a stoppage-time goal as Dhangadhi defeated Butwal Lumbini FC to bag a second win in a row at the second edition of Nepal Super League on Thursday.

The win took Dhangadhi to the top of the table with six points and went two points clear of the second-placed Lalitpur City FC, who have four points. 

Butwal have lost their opening two matches and sit at the bottom of the table. Dhangadhi defeated Birgunj United FC by 2-1 in their first match.

After a see-saw battle for more than 90 minutes, the goal came in the stoppage time. Substitute Olawale, who came in for Abhisek Gurung in the 70th minute, converted the pass from striker Ahmad Hijazi utilizing the out-of-position Butwal’s keeper Mohamodou in the 90+3 minute. 

Dhangadhi’s forward Ashish Chaudhary kept Butwal’s defenders busy at the beginning of the first half. With the lack of accurate passes, Dhangadhi, however, struggled in attack.  

Butwal tested the Dhangadhi’s keeper Mohammad Taha from the free-kick off Captain Arik Bista. To their dismay, Bista’s shot rebounded hitting the bar in the 20th minute. 

Dhangadhi’s chance of taking the lead in the 23rd minute was foiled as Fode Fofana’s shot from the left side was saved by Keeper Mohamodou.

In the 25th minute, Striker Chaudhary and Ahmed Hijazi’s combination could not get the result as the former provided the low cross from the six-yard box to Hijazi, whose acute angle shot went off the post. In the 29th minute, Butwal’s Gilespye Jung Karki header went off the crossbar. Karki’s other attempt in the 33rd minute went straight to the hand of keeper Taha. 

In the 36th minute, both Butwal and Dhangadhi had opportunities to score. Karki’s header to the corner of Captain Bista was cleared by Midfielder Abhishek Gurung from the goal line.  

In the counter move, Hijazi’s strike was punched away by Butwal’s keeper. Midfielder Abhishek Gurung’s shot to the rebound went wide from 

the second bar.

Stephane Binong’s strike in the 40th minute could not penetrate Dhangadhi’s custodian Taha. Taking control of a long ball from Saroj Tamang, Binong dribbled past defender Devendra Tamang and took the ball inside the penalty box but could not 

penetrate Taha. 

In the 55th minute, Rohan Karki’s shot from outside the penalty area missed the target. In the 74th minute, Olawale had an opportunity to score by beating the offside trap but his shot went out of the first bar. 

Butwal’s Chandan Das’s strike in the 89th minute was punched away by Taha. During the injury time, Olawale could not take advantage of one-to-one with Keeper Mohamodou.  In the next move, Olawale, however, succeeded in beating Mohamodou and earned three points for Dhangadhi.

Birgunj United FC will take on Chitwan FC on Friday at 5:30 PM.