By Sachit Subba • Football • Apr 11, 2025 14:57 PM • 98 views
A dazzling first-half hat-trick from Ahmed Hijazi powered Dhangadhi FC to a statement 3-1 comeback victory over Kathmandu Rayzrs in the Nepal Super League on Friday at the Dasharath Stadium.
The Egyptian striker delivered a masterclass before the goal, becoming the first player to register a hat-trick in the ongoing NSL campaign. With the win, Dhangadhi climbed to the top of the table with eight points from four matches, while Kathmandu remained fourth with five points from five games.
Kathmandu drew first blood in the 22nd minute through Amadou Diop, who finished clinically inside the box after being teed up by Mohammed Buya Turay. But Hijazi soon took control of the contest.
He pulled Dhangadhi level in the 35th minute, showing composure to finish from close range. Six minutes later, the forward struck again — latching onto a loose ball in the box after a blocked effort from Kritishratna Chand and slotting home to give his side a 2-1 lead.
Hijazi completed his hat-trick in first-half stoppage time, timing his run perfectly to connect with a low cross from Brazilian forward Sergio Barboza and firing past the Kathmandu keeper from point-blank range.
Tempers flared late in the second half. In the 86th minute, a heated exchange reduced both sides to 10 men. Dhangadhi defender Randeep Poudel was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, while Kathmandu's Vicente Koziello was shown a straight red card for his involvement in the scuffle.
Dhangadhi's attacking intent and Hijazi's clinical finishing underlined their title ambitions, while Kathmandu, with just one win in five outings, faces a tough road ahead.
