Tripureshwar, Nepal: In a heart-stopping encounter at Dasarath Rangshala, Birgunj United clawed their way back from the brink to snatch a 2-1 victory against Sporting Ilam, thanks to a last-gasp penalty converted by the irrepressible William Opku Asedo.

Birgunj, languishing at the bottom of the table just a week ago, displayed the grit of a champion, rising like a phoenix from the ashes to soar to seventh place in the Nepal Super League. This dramatic turnaround leaves Ilam in the mire, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread after six agonizing games.

The Ilam tide seemed to be rolling in early as Ashish capitalized on a Birgunj defensive error in the 15th minute, putting his team ahead. But Birgunj refused to surrender, and Bison’s 33rd-minute equalizer, courtesy of a Sushil Lama through ball, injected much-needed life into their play.

The second half was tense, with both sides struggling to carve out clear-cut chances. Ilam nearly doubled their lead late on, but Ashish’s attempt agonizingly skimmed over the bar.

When the match seemed destined for a draw, drama erupted in injury time. A reckless challenge on substitute Sunil Khadka inside the box gifted Birgunj a lifeline: a penalty. Stepping up with the weight of expectation on his shoulders, Asedo coolly dispatched the spot-kick, sending the Birgunj faithful into raptures.

This incredible victory is more than just three points for Birgunj; it’s a statement of intent, a testament to their unwavering spirit. The road ahead gets steeper for Ilam, but the NSL’s second season has again proven that the game is genuinely over once the final whistle blows.