By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu (HamroKhelkud) – Stephan Binong’s last-minute goal thwarted FC Chitwan’s quest for a consecutive victory in the ongoing second edition of the Nepal Super League (NSL). Chitwan, who had a poor start to their campaign with a loss and a draw, had a second straight win in their grasps but conceded a late goal to take just a point away from the match.
After a goalless first half, both sides were unable to create clear chances in the match. Chitwan kept more of the ball and tried creating chances persistently. Butwal goalkeeper Mohammadou was at fault for Chitwan’s goal but a communication lapse at the back towards the end evaded the win for Chitwan.
Chitwan midfielder Utsab Rai tried to test Butwal goalkeeper Mohammadou in the very first minute but his shot neither had direction nor power. Roshan Rana Magar also couldn’t trouble Mohammadou from outside the box in the sixth minute.
Chitwan midfielder Acquah’s free-kick in the 19th minute was hit straight at Mohammadou. Butwal countered after the free-kick but Stephan Binong’s effort from inside the box curled straight into Chitwan skipper Bishal Shrestha’s palms.
Bimal Gharti Magar also failed to hit his effort from distance on target in the 23rd minute. Torric Jebrin’s attempt in the 28th minute was blocked inside the box. Torric went to the floor in the 37th minute and made an appeal for a penalty, but referee Prajwol Chhetri was quick to deny him. Rafiq Aminu failed to direct his shot from inside the box on target in the 40th minute.
Bimal squandered a big chance in the 42nd minute. His attempt at chipping Mohammadou at the end of an Aminu through ball went high. Chitwan left-back Ekraj Budathoki found himself at the end of a cross from Aminu inside the box in the 47th minute but failed to make the desired connection.
Chitwan managed to take the lead in the 48th minute through Utsab Dai. Mohammadou, after claiming a cross from Aminu, tried to strike a long pass but hit it straight to Utsab who took a touch and volleyed the ball towards the goal. Mohammadou was quick to get back to the goalline but the ball slipped through his hands in his attempt to catch it which handed Chitwan the lead.
Binong’s effort in the 53rd minute was also easily saved by Bishal. Binong missed another big opportunity in the 63rd minute. Arik Bista’s corner ricocheted to Binong’s feet who struck it towards the goal on the turn but put it narrowly wide of the post.
Mohammadou spilled Torric’s attempt in the 78th minute but there was bo danger. At the other end, Butwal’s counter led to a shot from Arik off a pass from Gillespye Jung Karki but his effort went above the crossbar.
Butwal missed a huge opportunity to equalize in the 83rd minute. Binong’s chipped through ball for substitute Niranjan Dhami evaded everyone including Bishal Shrestha and Binong himself got to the end of his own pass and had to guide the ball to an unguarded net but hit it to the side of the net.
However, Butwal equalized in the first minute of added time thanks to a defensive error from Chitwan. Goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha, center-back Marco Ivanovic and right-back Chhiring Gurung failed to clear a long-pass from Mani Kumar Lama. They all waited for each other to get to the ball and Binong pounded on the lapse to guide the ball into an unguarded net to snatch a point from Chitwan.
Chitwan have five points from four matches after today’s draw while Butwal have four points from as many matches.
Jhapa FC will take on Birgunj United FC in Friday’s affair. The match will kick off at 5 PM at the Dasharath Stadium.
