Pokhara confirm top place, Dhangadhi clinch playoff spot

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 23: A 1-1 tie against Pokhara Thunders Football Club (PTFC) on Friday ensured second-positioned Dhangadhi FC (DFC) a spot in the playoffs of the second edition of the Nepal 

Super League.

While PTFC’s 15 points cannot be challenged, it is now the top team in league matches with four wins, two draws and a loss. However, DFC has qualified for the playoffs mathematically, so its position in the top four might vary. 

Despite the first match of Friday between PTFC and DFC saw many chances to score, it ended with a 1-1 draw. 

Yves P. Njanga, PTFC’s goalie, saved the shot by Fallou Diagne in the fourth minute and cleared the header of Ahmad Hijazi from the goalline in the 33rd minute. 

Likewise, PTFC failed to capitalise on the chances in the 10th and 16th minutes as Padam Kumar Tamang’s shot went away from the post and Sanjeeb Bista failed to beat Yves in a one-on-one situation respectively.

However, a commotion inside the box prepared the ball for Milan Rai to score in the 42nd minute. DFC was certain of beating Pokhara and earning a spot as the league topper as the team was in the lead until the 90 minutes.

Nevertheless, a cross by Suraj Jeu Thakuri was converted into the equaliser by Moses G. Twum in the final minute before the injury time. The goal helped Pokhara, the first team to qualify for the playoffs, to stay at the top.

On the other hand, as Jhapa FC (JFC), who was in the fourth position with 10 points, lost against last-positioned FC Chitwan (FCC) in the second match on Friday. Jhapa’s chance to play in the playoffs will now be decided by the two matches on Saturday. 

Despite the win and climbing to the fifth position, Chitwan has no chance for the playoffs. The two matches on Saturday will be the final matches of the league as every team will have played eight matches each.  

Chitwan’s captain and goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha became the wall for Jhapa as he stopped three major shots on the target, including a penalty from Anjan Bista.

Two other shots came from Samadar Ochilov and substitute Hari Karki in the 63rd and 72nd minutes. For ensuring a clean sheet with quality saves, Bishal was the player of the match in the match Chitwan won with two goals.

A goal by Rafiq Aminu in the seventh minute was enough for Jhapa to intensify pressure on Chitwan for a comeback. Unable to equalise until the 70th minute despite long passes by goalie Stefan Cupic, Jhapa started pressuring more. Jhapa created chances, but could not go past Bishal.

Meanwhile, the decision to send all defenders ahead as Cupic was shooting long passes to the opponent’s side backfired as Aminu got a chance to counter-run with the ball in the open half of Jhapa in the 77th minute and score the second. After the devastating loss, Jhapa’s chance for the playoffs hangs by a thread.   

Sixth-positioned Kathmandu Rayzrs FC (9 points in 7 matches) is facing Lalitpur City FC (10 points) in the afternoon and Birgunj United FC (8 points) is playing against FC Butwal Lumbini (7 points) on Saturday evening.

A win, which will be difficult, will guarantee a spot in the top four for title-defender Kathmandu. Lalitpur would then have to wait for the evening match between two Tarai teams. Birgunj would have to win with a margin of at least three goals for a chance. 

Nevertheless, there are still chances of Lalitpur and Butwal winning or the matches ending in a draw. The final whistle of the second match on Saturday will confirm the teams in the two vacant spots in the top four.