Kathmandu: A sensational first half hat-trick from Ahmad Hijazi led Dhangadhi FC to a 3-1 comeback victory over Kathmandu Rayzrs in the Nepal Super League, a franchise football tournament, at the Dasharath Stadium on Friday.

Kathmandu took a 22nd minute lead through Amadou Diop. But Dhangadhi responded with a first hat-trick of the tournament from Hijazi before the half time. 

The outcome lifted Dhangadhi on top of the standings with eight points after four matches pushing Lalitpur City FC to second place despite equal points on goal differences. Kathmandu remained unchanged in fourth place with five points from as many games. Only the top four teams in the seven-team contest make it to the playoffs while bottom three teams bow out after the round robin league. 

Senegalese forward Amadou converted a precise cut back pass from Mohamed Buya from the area to put Kathmandu ahead. Hijazi brough Dhangadhi on level terms in the 35th minute with a composed finish from close range tapping in a Mohamed El cross. The Lebanese forward doubled his tally just six minutes later with a clinical finish from the area after he found a pass from Kritish Ratna Chhunju that deflected off a Kathmandu defender. 

Hijazi completed his hat-trick in first-half stoppage time when he slid to convert a low cross from Sergio Barboza from the close range. 

Ahmad Hijazi scored the first hat-trick of Nepal Super League 2025.

Tensions flared late in the match, and both sides were reduced to ten men in the 86th minute following a heated exchange. Dhangadhi defender Randip Paudel was slapped with a second yellow card while Kathmandu forward Vincent Koziello was shown a straight red by referee Prajwol Chhetri.

Two matches are scheduled for Saturday with Jhapa FC taking on Pokhara Thunders in the early fixture while Butwal Lumbini will vie against Lalitpur City FC in the late game of the day.