Kathmandu, Dec. 29:Lalitpur City Football Club (LCFC), which was reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute, won the match against Pokhara Thunders FC (PTFC) to book its place in the finals of the second season of the Nepal Super League. 

Imoh Ezekiel and Kushal Deuba netted one goal each to fix Lalitpur’s title showdown with Dhangadhi FC on December 30.

Lalitpur’s Nikhil S. Kadam was shown the second yellow card in the 34th minute after his kick found the legs of Ayush Ghalan. However, despite Kadam, a backbone of LCFC’s midfield, sent off, Lalitpur found the way to continue its hope to win the league.

Pokhara was expected to intensify pressure on Lalitpur after it was restricted to 10 men; Lalitpur proved it otherwise.

After the red card to Kadam, Papa Ibou Kebe, one of Lalitpur’s striker, was called behind the halfway line to strengthen the defence leaving striker Imoh Ezekiel in the front alone. The step became beneficial as a long pass by Kebe from Lalitpur’s own half was found by Imoh to score the first goal of the match in the injury time of the first half. 

Pokhara was seen stronger in the beginning of the second half. Yet, it was not easy for the players to get past a disciplined defence line of Lalitpur, left alone beating goalkeeper Jeffery Baltus.

Meanwhile, Pokhara got an equaliser in the 71st minute. Stephan K. Annor was able to head the ball off a cross by Joe Aidoo to the back of the net.

The equaliser helped Pokhara to prevent the loss in the 90 minutes of the match. Lalitpur was able to extend its lead and win the match in the extra time.

Kushal Deuba, who replaced Imoh before the end of the 90 minutes, became the super substitute as he scored the winning goal for Lalitpur. A freekick by Kareem Omolaja found Ananta Tamang outside the six-yard box, and Tamang headed it towards the goalpost. 

However, three Pokhara defenders and goalie were unable to clear the header of Tamang properly allowing Deuba to score the second goal for the team. 

Pokhara did not only struggle to create chances for a goal, the players could not capitalise on the difficultly created chances. 

Lalitpur was seen determined to win the match despite a man down, and the team was able to fulfil its dream to play in the finals. 

The match also saw over two dozen fouls and more than half-a-dozen yellow cards. Match official Nabindra Maharjan, who alone showed half-a-dozen yellow cards and the red to Kadam, was also replaced by referee Ram Darshan in the second-half.

Meanwhile, Lalitpur will have a greater challenge against Dhangadhi. Dhangadhi, which was the table topper in the league-stage, has been able to get a place in the finals consecutively. Dhangadhi lost the finals against Kathmandu Rayzrs FC in the first season of the NSL.

The winner of the second season of the NSL will be receiving a cash prize of Rs. 7 million, the organisers informed.