The third edition of the Nepal Super League will be the first to not witness Dhangadhi FC in the final. Runner-up of the first two seasons, Dhangadhi were denied the chance for their first title by Pokhara Thunders FC at Dasharath Stadium on Wednesday.

Pokhara defeated Dhangadhi 1-0 in Qualifier 2 to reach their maiden NSL final. The win was also special for Pokhara as former Brazilian and Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos was in attendance.

Carlos met with the players before the kickoff and signed the yellow and red cards of match officials as autographs before handing the match ball to the match referee.

He also found the back of the net when he showed his free kick skills to thousands of Nepali fans, many of whom had worn Brazil’s yellow jersey in support of Carlos, during the half-time break. Lalitpur’s goalie Samit Shrestha, who was on the frame during Carlos’ free kicks, made some beautiful saves, earning Carlos’ praise.

Nonetheless, Shrestha will have to make more saves on Saturday when Lalitpur, the defending champion, defend their title against Pokhara. It will be the second chance for Pokhara to vie for the trophy.

A goalless halftime did not see any goals until the additional time after the end of 90 minutes in Qualifier 2. With less than three minutes remaining in the additional six minutes, Stephane Samir D.B. Binong beat Dhangadhi’s goalie with a header.

Binong, near the far post, received the cross by Ayush Ghalan from the corner spot to give his team the much-needed lead. Had Binong failed to capitalise and the game gone to extra minutes, it would have been difficult for 10-man Pokhara. Gaurab Shrestha was shown a second yellow in the 83rd minute after a foul on Dhangadhi’s No. 10 Sérgio Barboza.

“We did not have a good start to the season,” Pokhara’s Ayush Ghalan said after the win. “Our team combination kept improving and we reached the final with the hard work from all the players and staff.”

Pokhara’s best season so far was the previous one when they entered the playoffs as the top team in the points table. However, they lost to Dhangadhi and Lalitpur in Qualifier 1 and 2, respectively.

After upsetting Dhangadhi on Wednesday, Pokhara have the chance to take revenge on Lalitpur as well. If Pokhara win, they will become the third team to win the NSL; if not, Lalitpur will be the only team to win the league twice.