THRILLS, TWISTS & TRIUMPHS AWAIT: DECODING THE INTENSE

The Martyr's Memorial A Division League 2023 was full of uncertainties before the start of the season. It is hard to believe how quickly time has elapsed since the announcement of the league dates, leaving teams scrambling to assemble their squads to the end of the season only a few days away. As we now approach the end with a mere two rounds of matches remaining, merely four matchdays separate us from the culmination.

Fair to say, this season has proven to be the epitome of competitiveness, surpassing all expectations, apart from the teams who'd have liked to know their fate with more certainty already. But that is what a league season is all about- it encompasses the pursuit of the title and the fight to stay in the top-flight as well as the dogfight to get the best league standings for optimal rewards. And for spectators, the deeper the season goes with the unknowns, the better.

With just two rounds of seven matches each left in the season, we'll try go delve into the current state of affairs in the league and the potential fates that await the 14 teams come June 10.

COMPLETE CONTRAST IN NEWCOMERS’ SEASON:

After securing first and second place in the previous season's B Division League, Church Boys United and FC Khumaltar earned promotion to the prestigious Martyr's Memorial A Division League. Both teams made significant signings and substantial investments in their squads. However, their fortunes this season have taken divergent paths. Church Boys United find themselves on the verge of clinching the title, while FC Khumaltar now face the looming threat of relegation.

Following Jawalakhel Youth Club's recent dip in form, Church Boys find themselves challenged only by defending championship Machhindra FC for the top spot. However, a defeat against Nepal Police Club in their last match has significantly diminished Machhindra’s chances. Church Boys United now sit just one point away from a remarkable title win. They triumphed in the C Division League and the B Division League in the past two seasons, earning promotion to the nation's top flight for the first time. A title triumph in this season would make them only the second team to conquer all three divisions of the country in three consecutive seasons, a feat previously achieved only by Manang Marshyangdi Club. They face a struggling Three Star Club who are winless in 13 matches and have a battle to survive relegation at their disposal. 

FC Khumaltar's fortunes have taken a downturn, in complete contrast to their promotion partners. Their season has been filled by controversies, from their head coaches' situation to match fixing allegations. Their performance on the pitch has been far from impressive. While they hold a joint-fifth position in terms of goals scored this season, their defense has been lacking, conceding a staggering 51 goals—20 more than any other team. 25 of their 31 goals have come from their forward duo Messouke Oloumou and Stephane Binong which shows dependency of the highest order.

REJUVENATED POLICE:

Nepal Police Club’s start of the season was not up to scratch. They lost first four matches of the season, getting their first point in the fifth match against New Road Team. Their head coach Chetan Ghimire was insisting on getting foreign players to give his team better chances of survival. And Police management got him what he asked for. For the first time in their history, Nepal Police Club fielded players whose nationality isn’t Nepali.

Fast forward to the end of 24 matches in the season, Nepal Police Club sit fourth on the table with 37 points, level with Jawalakhel Youth Club who were in the title race one round of matches before. Police are on a five-match winning run and can finish second on the table if everything goes their way. To say nobody expected them to finish come to this stage would be a massive understatement. But credit goes to their head coach Ghimire for his insistence to bring the foreign players in as well as their management for going out of their ways to help their coach to aim higher.

MID-TABLE DOGFIGHT & RELEGATION SCRAP:

There has hardly been any league season as competitive as the 2023 season of the A Division League in terms of the mid-table battle. Fifth-placed Satdobato Youth Club still have the chances of finishing lower than Friends Club who are currently in the drop zone and facing the drop owing to various possibilities and their inferior head-to-head record against the Kupandole-based side. Satdobato, along with sixth-placed Manang Marshyangdi Club, can still dance with the big guns of the season and finish as high as third.

Looking at the fixtures, APF would keep their safety spirits high as they take on the bottom two in their last remaining matches. The Stars, ranked 12th, on a 13-match winless run, face the leaders Church Boys and third-placed Jawalakhel Youth Club. They undoubtedly face an uphill battle in their quest for safety.

The Mountaineers have a tough task ahead of them, with Machhindra and Army awaiting them. Satdobato Youth Club, holding the fifth spot, confront Jawalakhel and Police, who sit above them. To sum the possibilities up is a tough task. But all will be revealed by June 10, when we’ll know the fate of these 14 teams.

Teams ranked 5-14 and their remaining fixtures:

5. Satdobato Youth Club: Jawalakhel Youth Club, Nepal Police Club

6. Manang Marshyangdi Club: New Road Team, Machhindra FC

7. Himalayan Sherpa Club: Machhindra FC, Tribhuwan Army FC

8. APF Football Club: FC Khumaltar, Friends Club

9. New Road Team: Manang Marshyangdi Club, Sankata Club

10. Sankata Club: Friends Club, New Road Team

11. Tribhuwan Army FC: Nepal Police Club, Himalayan Sherpa Club

12. Three Star Club: Church Boys United, Jawalakhel Youth Club

13. Friends Club: Sankata Club, APF Football Club

14. FC Khumaltar: APF Football Club, Church Boys United

There are numerous scenarios in which two out of teams from fifth position in the league to fourteenth can get relegated. The destiny of many teams hangs in the balance, filled with uncertainties. It will keep us spectators on the edge of our seats, immersed into this grand spectacle that is the conclusion of the Martyr’s Memorial A Division League 2023