Lalitpur City FC has won the title of Nepal Super League. (Photo: Saroj Nepal/Nepalkhabar)
Lalitpur City FC has won the title of the Nepal Super League (NSL) for the second consecutive time by defeating Pokhara Thunders.
In the final held on Saturday at Tripureshwar-based Dasharath Stadium, Lalitpur defeated Pokhara 2-1 to lift the trophy for the second consecutive time. Lalitpur received 8 million rupees along with the title, while the runner-up Pokhara received 3 million rupees.
Lalitpur had won the NSL title in the previous season by defeating Dhangadhi FC. Lalitpur took a 1-0 lead in the first half and doubled the lead in the second half, though it also conceded a goal.
In the 74th minute, Papa Ibou Kebé scored a goal, giving Lalitpur a 2-1 lead against Pokhara. Controlling Emoh Ezekiel’s strike, Papa Ibou Kebé scored a goal, allowing Lalitpur to regain the lead.
In the 62nd minute, Sudil Rai scored a goal, bringing Pokhara back into the game. Lalitpur’s goalkeeper saved Stephane Binong’s header from Padam Bhattarai’s cross, but Sudil Rai capitalized on the rebound to equalize for Pokhara.
Earlier, in the 41st minute of the first half, Imon Ezekiel’s header from Manoj Rai’s cross gave Lalitpur the initial lead. Pokhara had secured their place in the final by defeating Dhangadhi FC 1-0 in the second qualifier.
In the eliminator, Pokhara had defeated FC Chitwan 3-0 with a comfortable goal difference to advance to the second qualifier. Meanwhile, Lalitpur had moved closer to the title by defeating Dhangadhi 2-1 in the first qualifier.
.
