Pokhara climb to second spot, Ilam and Chitwan share points

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 17:Pokhara Thunders Football Club (PTFC) climbed to the second position of the Nepal Super League after winning against Birgunj United FC (BUFC) in the first match of Saturday. In the second match of the day, Football Club Chitwan (FCC) and Sporting Ilam FC (SIFC) shared points after a goalless draw.

Pokhara climbed to the second position in the table after the win. With three wins, two draws and a loss, PTFC now has 11 points from six matches. On the other hand, Birgunj United lost for the third time this season and is in the eighth position of the table with five points. Pokhara won the match 2-1. All three goals of the match were scored in the first half. Pokhara had made only one change to the squad while Birgunj entered the field with two changes.

After receiving a long cross along the right flank, Pokhara’s Ayush Ghalan nutmegged two BUFC defenders and passed the ball along the ground to Stephen Kojo Papa Annor. Annor further prepared the ball for Moses Gyabaah Twum to shoot, but it was blocked. 

The blocked ball was then received by Joe Aidoo. Aidoo stopped the ball with his right foot and shot with the left one leaving goalkeeper Deep Karki and other defenders in awe. The goal was one of the major reasons to award the player of the match to Aidoo. However, Pokhara could not hold on to the lead in the 6th minute for long.

Birgunj earned a free kick at the end of the 10th minute. Sushil Lama was able to bend the ball towards the edge of the six-yard box for Aikins Kyei Baffour to head the ball to the back of the net for an equaliser. Nevertheless, Pokhara, the team that dominated the first half, went a goal ahead before the end of the first half. A cross by Annor from the left flank was headed to the goal by Moses in the 45th minute. The goal by Moses was the final goal of the match that helped Pokhara earn three points.

Both teams failed to take advantage of several chances to change the tide of the match once again throughout the second half. The long-ball counter was the playing style followed by both teams to create most of the chances. On the other hand, Chitwan and Ilam did not score a single goal in the 90-minute game despite multiple chances.

Ilam had entered the field with Samit Shrestha as goalkeeper replacing Bikesh Kuthu, who earned a red card in the last game. Compared to their previous matches, two more changes were visible in Ilam’s squad alongside two changes in Chitwan’s.

Chitwan created chances in the 2nd and 6th minutes of the match through Rafiq Aminu and Tshering Gurung respectively. Chitwan also dropped many crosses inside the box but was not capitalised by the strikers. Ilam also tried crossing the ball into the boxes, but could not transform them into goals. Several shots also went away from the post and above the crossbar for both teams. 

Amath Ndaw of Ilam was booked for a red card after earning two yellow cards and sent off the field before the final 10 minutes of the 90-minute game. Chitwan was seen as more aggressive against the 10-men Ilam. 

Bimal Gharti Magar was unable to get a touch to a cross by Rafiq Aminu in the 90+5 minute inside the six-yard box. A freekick by Chitwan’s Torric Jebrin, which went away from the post, was the final shot of the match.

Bishal Shrestha, captain and goalkeeper for Chitwan, was adjudged the player of the match for some quality saves.   

Defending champions Kathmandu Rayzrs and current table topper Dhangadhi FC will be in action at Dasharath Stadium on Sunday.