Tripureshwar, Nepal:  Pokhara Thunders emerged victorious in a 2-1 thriller against Birgunj United at the Dasharath Stadium, solidifying their position as contenders in the Nepal Super League.

The Thunders wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Joe Aidu finding the net in just the sixth minute. Ayush Ghalan’s pinpoint cross dissected the Birgunj defence, allowing Aidu a clinical finish that left goalkeeper Deep Karki helpless.

Birgunj, however, refused to surrender, showcasing their attacking intent. Five minutes later, Aikins Bufour rose to the occasion, meeting Sushil Lama’s cross with a perfectly executed header that restored parity, injecting a thrilling dose of see-saw action into the contest.

Just before halftime, Pokhara similarly retook the lead. Moses Gyaba, capitalizing on Stephan Anor’s precise delivery, nodded home a powerful header, sending the Thunders into the break with a 2-1 advantage.

The second half continued in a tense and tactical battle, with both defences holding firm despite numerous scoring opportunities. Pokhara came close to extending their lead when Anor missed a golden chance in the 59th minute, while Birgunj tested Priso in goal with a dangerous effort from Bibek Chaudhary in the 71st minute.

The drama peaked in the 83rd minute when Anor, after skillfully dribbling past Bufour, set up Sanjeev Bista with an open goal. However, Bista’s shot agonizingly struck the post, leaving the score tantalizingly poised at 2-1.

The Thunders held firm in the dying minutes, securing a hard-fought victory that catapulted them to second place in the NSL standings with 11 points from 6 games. Birganj, on the other hand, remains in eighth place with 5 points, reflecting the league’s intense competition and the Thunders’ growing threat.