Reigning champions Kathmandu Rayzrs started their defence of the Nepal Super League title with a 1-0 win over newcomers Sporting Ilam at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Friday.

Rajiv Lopchan’s second half strike proved decisive as Kathmandu, who won the first edition of the competition three years ago, showed their intent of winning the title for the second edition in a row under their manager Bal Gopal Maharjan.

Kathmandu were sharp from the start in an end-to-end battle that also saw Ilam, a new addition to the franchise league, playing a high-pressing game but a lack of coordination among their players and a formidable Kathmandu defence condemned Megh Raj KC’s side to an opening defeat.

Hishub Thapaliya was a constant threat to Ilam throughout the game but the national team member was wasteful, missing the opportunity twice in the first half.

Thapaliya should have put Kathmandu in front in the 12th minute when Uzbekistan forward Shokhrukh Makhmudkhozhiev laid a near-perfect pass inside the penalty box but Thapaliya failed to read the ball.

Six minutes later Uzbeki Komilov Tojidinov set up Thapaliya near the six yard box but the latter was too slow to create the opportunity for unmarked Prashant Awasthi as Ilam goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu intervened. Kuthu was a part of Kathmandu’s title winning squad last edition.

At the other end, Ilam struggled to browse through Kathmandu's solid defence and never really threatened the opposition’s half despite posing challenges.

Lopchan, who came on as a second half substitute, finally got the breakthrough in the 51st minute, thanks to a blunder from Kuthu. The Ilam captain and goalkeeper’s poor attempt to clutch a tame header from Cameroonian Nkgngue Junior off a corner from Tojidinov allowed Lopchan to find the net.

Kuthu almost allowed Kathmandu to double their lead in the 71st minute with his substandard decision-making as he advanced too far to prevent Lopchan from striking, only to let slip the ball through his legs but Jitendra Karki reacted quickly to ward off the danger.

KC sent Ashish Chapagain, Santosh Khatri, Bimal Pandey and experienced forward Bharat Khawas in search of an equaliser but Kathmandu held on to their lead.

Butwal Lumbini, another debutants, open their season against Lalitpur City, while Pokhara Thunders take on Chitwan on Saturday.