Kathmandu bounce back to beat Pokhara 2-1

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 12: Defending champions Kathmandu Rayzers FC came from one goal down to beat Pokhara Thunders 2-1 and jumped to third position in the Nepal Super League on Monday.

Two late goals from Nkgngue Junior and Shokhrukh Mahmudxojiyev rescued Kathmandu from conceding the second defeat as the holders were one goal down till the 83rd minute. Marquee and captain of Pokhara Thunders, Ayush Ghalan broke the deadlock in the 59th minute after the first half ended in a goalless stalemate. 

The three points helped Kathmandu reduce the gap to one point with table topper Lalitpur City FC, who has nine points. Kathmandu trailed to third position being inferior in goal margin against second-placed Dhangadhi FC, who also has equal eight points. 

Pokhara squandered the opportunity to rise to the top position after conceding their first loss. Rather Pokhara, who also has eight points, dropped down to fourth spot. 

In the first half, both Kathmandu and Pokhara failed to take the lead with their wasteful efforts. Kathmandu’s glovesman Anjal Shrestha foiled Ghalan’s corner with a punch in the 15th minute and Mosses Twum’s shot from the right flank in the 18th minute.

Keeper Shrestha denied Mosses in the 24th minute too. 

Kathmandu had their first shot on target in the 29th minute from a free kick but Shokhrukh’s strike was warded off by Pokhara’s custodian Guillaume Priso.

Moses' attempt in the 34th minute was thwarted by defender Andres Nia. Moses was almost sure of the goal after he beat Keeper Shrestha but Nia ran from the right side to clear the ball. In the resulting corner, Moses headed the ball from Suraj Jiu Thakuri but it was cleared by Rajib Lopchan from the goal line with a header. Three minutes later, Moses’s header hit the woodwork. 

Moses’ strike in the 40th minute deflected into the post hitting the bar but the assistant referee raised the flag for an offside. 

Their relentless effort finally paid off in the 59th minute as Pokhara took the lead with a goal from their captain Ghalan. The powerful striker from Stephen Kojo Paapa could not be well saved by Keeper Shrestha and Ghalan scored in the resulting rebound ball.

With seven minutes to go, Pokhara could not hold their lead and conceded an equaliser after Juniour’s strike from the edge of the box kissed the back of the net from the top corner. 

With the equaliser, Kathmandu bounced back in the game and killed the match in the stoppage time. Uzbekistan’s Shokhrukh chipped the long ball from his nationmate Tojidinov Komijon into the post.

On Tuesday, Butwal Lumbini FC will face off against Jhapa FC in hopes of securing a top position.