Dhangadhi regain top spot

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 15: A second-minute goal from Afeez Olawale helped Dhangadhi Football Club (DFC) return to the top of the Nepal Super League (NSL) table by defeating FC Chitwan (FCC) 1-0 on Thursday. 

With three points earned today, DFC went two points clear at the table with 11 points from five matches. Lalitpur City FC fell to the second position with nine points in five matches.  Meanwhile, FCC is in the seventh position with five points from six matches. FCC was the losing side against Lalitpur on December 10 which allowed Lalitpur to reach the top of the table.

The only goal of Olawale was enough to separate the match. While Olawale sprinted down the right flank with the ball, FCC players positioned themselves in anticipation of a cross inside the box. To their surprise, Olawale’s delivery veered towards the far corner of the goal post to the back of the net, deceiving both FCC defenders and goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha. 

DFC was seen in a rather defensive position after scoring the goal. On the other hand, after conceding a goal in the early minutes of the game, FCC started pressuring the opponents. At the end of the first half, FCC had earned eight corners. 

FCC’s Yussif Mubarik shot the ball he received after a poor clearance from DFC goalkeeper Tikendra Thapa above the bar in the 31st minute. FCC’s Rafiq Aminu and Tshering Gurung also missed chances in the next few minutes.

As the four minutes of injury time added in the first half was coming to an end, FCC earned a penalty as the ball was touched by the hand of Richard Osei Agyemang while defending against Nawayug Shrestha. 

FCC was hoping for a goal from experienced Bimal Gharti Magar by sending Tikendra towards the wrong side; however, Tikendra saved the penalty and prevented the equaliser.

Tikendra made five match-winning saves throughout the game earning him the player of the match award. The first interesting moment of the second half was also when Tikendra saved a shot by Magar in the 48th minute. He also saved a header by Shrestha in the 53rd minute. Meanwhile, DFC failed to extend their lead to two goals as Ashish Chaudhary, who was subbed in the 56th minute replacing Fode Fofana, could not hit the ball from a pass by Olawale to an open goalpost in the 58th minute. 

After being unable to extend the lead, DFC players started wasting time. Tikendra was awarded a yellow card for wasting time in the 77th minute. Altogether, six yellow cards were given to DFC players while two FCC players were booked.

Ahmad Hijazi also missed a chance in the 81st minute for DFC as his shot went away from the post. 

FCC continued pressing and creating chances, but none could be capitalised. A shot by Afriyie Acquah in the 90+5 minute injury time was the final chance of the game for FCC. Goalie Tikendra was beaten, but Agyemang, who gave away a penalty in the first half, made a goal-line clearance ensuring three points for the team.

Lalitpur City FC will have the chance to climb back to the top of the league on Friday as it will be playing against Jhapa Football Club, which is in the sixth position with six points from five matches.