NSL: Kathmandu Rangers hold Lalitpur City to 2-2 draw

KATHMANDU: In the Ncell Nepal Super League (NSL), defending champions Lalitpur City FC were held to a 2-2 draw by Kathmandu Rangers.

Lalitpur took an early lead in the match, going 2-0 up in the first half.

However, Kathmandu staged a remarkable comeback in the second half, managing to secure a draw and prevent Lalitpur from extending their advantage.

The match began at Dasarath Stadium with Lalitpur quickly asserting control.

In the fifth minute, Lalitpur’s foreign player, Jonathan Cantillana, sent a ball towards the corner flag, which deflected off Kathmandu’s Kamal Shrestha and went into the goal.

Lalitpur doubled their lead in the 15th minute.

Imoh Ezekiel’s shot was blocked by Kathmandu’s goalkeeper Abhishek Baral, but the rebound fell to Aditya Shakya, whose left-footed shot found the back of the net.

Lalitpur continued to dominate the match, with Imoh Ezekiel hitting the post in the 25th minute after a one-on-one with goalkeeper Abhishek Baral.

Kathmandu, trailing 2-0, had a chance to score in the 28th minute when a diving header from Mohammed Bouya Toure, following a corner from Vincent Kojiello, was saved by Lalitpur’s goalkeeper Jeffrey Baltus. The first half ended with Lalitpur leading 2-0.

In the second half, Lalitpur squandered a great opportunity in the 62nd minute when Papabou Keita’s powerful left-footed shot was expertly saved by Kathmandu’s goalkeeper Jeffrey Baltus.

Kathmandu showed resilience and found a way back into the game in the 75th minute.

A cutback from Jilespy Jung Karki found Amando Diop inside the box, and his powerful shot was converted into a stunning goal, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

Kathmandu nearly equalized in the 84th minute when Jilespy Jung Karki’s shot from inside the box went just over the crossbar.

In injury time, Lalitpur’s Yogesh Gurung fouled Vincent inside the box, and the referee awarded a penalty to Kathmandu.

In the fifth minute of injury time, Vincent converted the penalty calmly to make it 2-2, completing Kathmandu’s dramatic comeback.

As a result, both teams shared the points, with Lalitpur unable to hold onto their 2-0 lead.

This was the first time in five NSL encounters between the two teams that the match ended in a draw. Previously, Kathmandu had won three times, and Lalitpur once.

Today, the match between Butwal Lumbini FC and Jhapa FC will take place at 6 PM.

In the third edition of NSL, seven teams are competing for the title: Lalitpur City FC, Kathmandu Rangers FC, Pokhara Thunders FC, Butwal Lumbini FC, Dhangadhi FC, Jhapa FC, and Chitwan FC.