Kathmandu: Kathmandu Rayzrs made a sensational second half comeback to salvage a 2-2 draw against the defending champions Lalitpur City FC in a dramatic opener of the Nepal Super League at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar, Saturday. 

The holders Lalitpur thought that they would walk away with easy points after early goals from Palestine forward Jonathan Eduaro and Aditya Shakya put them 2-0 ahead inside 15 minutes. 

But Kathmandu staged a second half comeback with Senegalese forward Amadou Diop cutting the deficit in the mid second half and French midfielder Vincent Koziello levelling scores deep in stoppage time.

Jonathan’s strike just ahead from the corner flag entered into the net in the fifth minute after Kathmandu defender Kamal Shrestha’s touched it in his bid to clear the ball ahead of the goalline. Aditya doubled the advantage when a ball parried by goalie Avishek Baral to deny Jonathan’s strike fell on to him for an easy finish. 

Lalitpur came closer to scoring in the 25th through Imoh Ezekiel before he smashed an upright from close range with only goalie Avishek as his obstacle.  

Action from the match between Lalitpur City FC and Kathmandu Rayzrs.                                                                                              Photo: SportsNep

Kathmandu created the first real chance in the 28th as Mohamed Buya Turay applied a flying header in Vincent Koziello’s corner. But glovesman Jeffery Willy made a diving save to deny him.   

Lalitpur threatened yet again in the 61st forcing goalie Avishek for a valiant response to deny Papa Ibou Kebe’s scorcher set by Aditya. Gillespye Jung Karki header for Kathmandu a few minutes later dropped inches wide in Kamal Shrestha cross.

Kathmandu’s push for goal was rewarded in the 75th when unmarked Amadou unleashed a powerful strike after Gillespye placed him a perfect cut back pass. Kathmandu scored the equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time after Yougesh Gurung brought Vincent Kozeillo down inside the area and the French made a cool finish to walk away with a point. 

Butwal Lumbini FC will vie against Jhapa FC on Sunday.

The franchise based football tournament organised by Nepal Sports and Event Management features seven teams.  

Earlier, singer Durgesh Thapa performed during the opening ceremony.