SATV April 2, Kathmandu: Dhangadhi FC kicked off their Nepal Super League Season 3 campaign in style by thrashing Butwal Lumbini FC 4-1 at Dasarath Stadium on Tuesday.
Ahmed Hizazi bagged a brace, while Kritish Ratna Chhunju and Sergio Barbozu each found the back of the net, securing a commanding win for two-time runners-up Dhangadhi.
Butwal's defenders, Bimal Pandey and Suman Shrestha, were caught flat-footed as Dhangadhi took an early lead in the 6th minute. Lebanon’s Hizazi scored with an acrobatic finish after Moroccan midfielder Mohamed El Jaouani’s long flick ball landed inside the penalty area.
Dhangadhi’s talisman, Kritish Ratna Chhunju, nearly doubled the lead in the 9th minute, but his powerful left-footed strike from outside the box missed the target.
In the 27th minute, Dhangadhi squandered another golden chance when Hizazi’s shot, set up by George Prince Karki’s pass, hit the post and rebounded. Kritish’s follow-up attempt was blocked by defender Bimal Pandey.
This missed opportunity cost Dhangadhi in the 31st minute, as Lumbini leveled the score. Kenta Hara cleverly converted Manish Dangi’s corner with a backheel from close range to make it 1-1.
In the 38th minute, Lumbini’s Fatteman Ghale fired a shot from the edge of the box, but Dhangadhi’s goalkeeper, Walid Birrou, pulled off a stunning diving save.
Kritish finally broke the deadlock in the 75th minute, dribbling past three defenders before slotting the ball home from eight yards out.
Hizazi extended the lead in injury time (90+6) with a brilliant half-volley from a tight angle. Mohamed El Jaouani's pass set up the shot, which lobbed over the keeper, hit the crossbar, and nestled in the net.
Brazilian striker Sergio Barbozu sealed the victory in the 90+9 minute. Keeper Karki failed to secure George Prince Karki’s initial shot, and Sergio buried the rebound into the net.
This was Butwal’s second match, while Dhangadhi played their first. Butwal had defeated Dhangadhi by a single goal in the first season but lost to the two-time finalists by the same margin last season.
