Dhangadhi defeated Pokhara Thunders 4-3 on penalties to progress into the final of the Nepal Super League after the thrilling Qualifier 1 ended in a 2-2 draw after extra time at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Monday.

Pokhara took the lead twice after Ayush Ghalan and Franklin Kuete Talla scored either side of Devendra Tamang’s equaliser but bottled it after Ahmed Hijaji netted at the death to push the encounter into the shootout.

Ghalan missed the final spot kick after Mohamad Taha saved Twum’s shot to hand a comeback victory to Dhangadhi who have now reached the final for a second successive season. Dhangadhi had lost 1-0 against Kathmandu Rayzrs in the final in the first edition of the franchise league in 2021.

Hijaji could not convert the penalty for Pokhara.

Pokhara frustrated Dhangadhi throughout the first half with a high-pressing game, threatening the Dhangadhi box from the start.

Dhangadhi goalkeeper Taha had to make a double save to deny Pokhara the lead from a set piece in the third minute.

But Ghalan, who was as impressive as always, made it count two minutes later, pouncing on a defensive lapse from Pokhara as the forward ghosted his marker Aashish Chaudhary and tapped in Moses Gyabaah Twum’s low cross that first found its way past Dhangadhi defender Richard Osei Agyemang.

Taha also had to make another stunning save minutes later. Ghalan manoeuvred past three defenders to cut back for Dipesh Ale Magar who attempted a low shot but their Lebanese custodian reacted quickly to prevent further damage.

Pokhara almost doubled their lead in the 31st minute when Joe Aidoo’s low freekick from just outside the edge of the area went through the defensive wall before nearly beating Taha who, again, had to make a brilliant effort to make amendments for the Dhangadhi’s defensive hole.

Dhangadhi lacked fluency in the attack and failed to truly bully the opponents.

But they clawed their way back into the game soon after the restart.

Pokhara took their foot off the gas after the break which invited pressure from Dhangadhi, who finally managed to terrorise the Pokhara box in the 47th minute.

Agyemang utilised an opportunity created from a corner to try his luck but his shot ricocheted off the crossbar and Olawale tested Pokhara goalkeeper Guillaume Yves Priso with a header off the rebound.

Dhangadhi upped the tempo looking for an equaliser and it came in the 54th minute when Devendra Tamang, who was given too much space, converted a cross from Kamal Shrestha with a diving header.

Talla should have restored the lead in the 72nd minute when Twum set him up in front of the goal but the Cameroonian flashed over the bar.

Both Dhangadhi and Pokhara pressed each other looking for the winner in the final few minutes but their netkeepers were unwavering, with Priso making a superb save in the 79th minute to deny Hijaji’s close-range effort before Taha showed his quality, stretching full length to keep out a header from Aidoo.

But Pokhara reinstalled their lead 13 minutes into extra time. Pokhara made a series of attempts from inside the six-yard box after Suraj Jiu Thakuri put the ball for them through a long free kick and Talla somehow managed to head the ball over the defenders and into the net.

But Hijaji had not given up yet. He smashed the bottom corner in the 120th minute after Talla’s poor attempt to clear a lofted pass from Ram Chandra Wajee fell straight in his feet.

Pokhara still fancy a chance to make the final but have to defeat the winners between the defending champions Kathmandu and Lalitpur City in the Qualifier 2 on Thursday.

Kathmandu and Lalitpur City lock horns in the Eliminator on Tuesday.