Kathmandu: A late goal from Senegalese forward Amadou Diop gave Kathmandu Rayzrs a much needed 1-0 victory over Butwal Lumbini FC  in the Nepal Super League, a franchise football tournament, at the Dasharath Stadium, Tuesday .

Both the sides came into the match looking for their first win with the hope that they strengthen their bid for playoffs as only top four sides in the seven-team contest make it to the stage. 

The victory fetched Kathmandu, the winners of the first edition, five points and they moved up to third place in the standings. Butwal Lumbini, who got limited to 10 players for the last 20 minutes, are struggling at the bottom of the table with one point as their playoff hopes look like hanging by a thread. 

Kathmandu dominated the show with numerous chances but Butwal Lumbini goalie Deep Karki stood as a major hurdle with numerous valiant saves. 

In the second minute, Buya Turay’s quick strike from close range landed straight at goalie Deep’s hand. Winger Manish Dangi replied for Butwal Lumbini in the fifth minute when his low strike from the edge of the area smashed at the woodwork.

Kathmandu’s Amadou squandered a sitter In the 11th when the forward failed to beat the diving goalie Deep in one-on-one situation. He quickly recovered to deny Rohan Karki in the resulting rebounder. Kenta Hara came closer to scoring for Butwal Lumbini in the 38th applying a quick strike in Manish pass but goalie goalkeeper Abhishek Baral reacted quickly to block it. 

Action from the match between Kathmandu Rayzrs and Butwal Lumbini. Photo: NSL

Eight minutes into the second half Amadou’s 25-yard scorcher smashed on the crossbar only to rebound. Butwal were reduced to 10 players in the 71st minute after defender Suman Shrestha was given marching order for punching Kathmandu’s Alijon Alijonov. 

Kathmandu’s substitute forward Ashish Chapagain came closer to scoring in the 88th with a powerful strike from area after Gillespye Jung Karki laid for him. Goalie Deep again came to the rescue with a quick diving save. Kathmandu’s effort was finally rewarded a minute later after Amadou’s well placed low strike from the arch of the area was beyond the reach of diving Deep. 

Pokhara Thunders will vie against Dhangadhi City FC on Wednesday.