Pokhara edge Dhangadhi 1-0 to enter NSL final
Action from the match between Pokhara Thunders and Dhangadhi FC. Photos Courtesy: NSL
Sports Nepal Kathmandu: A stoppage time goal from Stephane Samir Binong earned Pokhara Thunders a hard fought 1-0 win over Dhangadhi FC as they cruised into the final of the Nepal Super League at the Dasharath Stadium, Wednesday.
The Cameroonian forward headed an all-important goal in the third minute of the added six minutes as Pokhara secured final spot for the first time sending Dhangadhi out of the final for the first time in the franchise football tournament.
Pokhara will now vie against Lalitpur City FC in the final on Saturday.
The outcome was a huge blow to Dhangadhi, who suffered their second defeat in a row in the playoffs following a 2-1 defeat against holders Lalitpur City FC in the Qualifier 1. Moreover, they conceded all the goals after they played with a man advantage over their opponents in the playoffs.
Unlike Dhangadhi, Pokhara had defeated Chitwan 3-1 in the eliminator to book the Qualifier game against Dhangadhi.
Pokhara’s Gaurab Shrestha was sent off in the 84th minute after he was shown second yellow, but agonisingly Dhangadhi conceded a goal seven minutes after they played against10 opponents. In the first qualifier, Dhangadhi played with 10 vs 11 players for almost the entire game, but they conceded both goals despite having a player advantage over Lalitpur CIty.
Dhangadhi appeared to dominate the first half of the game with a well organised pass and a couple of threats. They created the first threat in the 14th minute but their Nigerian forward squandered a scoring chance with a feeble strike allowing goalie Guillaume Yves Priso to grab without any difficulty. Dhangadhi created yet another scoring chance in the first half stoppage time when Dipesh Rai applied a thunderous strike from the area in Ahmad Hijaji pass but it landed straight on the attentive goalie Piso’s fist only to rebound.
Pokharad defender Gaurab was sent off in the 84th after a second yellow followed by a harsh tackle on Sergio Barboza. Binong netted the all important goal in stoppage time when he headed a freekick from Ayush Ghalan.
