Sports Castle have confirmed their finish on top going into the playoffs of the 'A' Division National Futsal League after defeating Futsal 5 3-2 in an evening of late drama while Lumbini Futsal were relegated after losing a 6-5 thriller against The Rising Club at the Pokhara covered hall in Pokhara on Saturday.

Futsal 5 were leading the game until the dying moments after Kiran Chaudhary's 1st minute and 24th minute goals. Suren Budha Magar had earlier pulled an equaliser for Sports Castle in the 10th minute.

When it seemed Futsal 5 were on the verge of inflicting the leaders their first defeat, Sumit Shrestha levelled the score with a 37th minute stunner and captain Anjan Devkota's 40th minute goal ensured they finished on top in the league round with a match in hand.

The late tension also saw Futsal 5's goalie Dhiraj Tamang and coach Biswash Lama sent off in the 40th minute.

Sports Castle have 22 points after seven wins from eight matches, six clear of second-placed Rising, who moved up to the second spot in the standings at the cost of Lumbini.

Lumbini became the second team to be relegated before playing the final round after managing only one win and a draw. They have four points, three points below Dhuku Futsal and Prabhatpheri Youth Club, both of whom have seven points with a match in hand. Even a win against Sky Goals on Monday will not be enough to save Lumbini from relegation due to head-to-head record against Dhuku and Prabhatpheri.

Winless Jharana Sports Club have already been relegated.

Lumbini took an early lead through Hemanta Gurung but Biku Tamang equalised in the 10th minute.

Captain Raefi Maharjan helped Lumbini retake the lead in the 14th minute and Sujan Thapa stretched the advantage a minute later. But their two-goal lead lasted only for a minute when Sudip Gurung and Milan Rai scored two goals, both in the 16th minute, to level the score.

Captain Dorje Tamang gave The Rising Club lead just before the break but Lumbini showed their desperation to avoid the drop with a 22nd minute equaliser through Rupen Baraili.

But The Rising Club held their nerve as Rewosh Maskey gave them another lead in the 27th minute and Hemanta Thapa Magar had the final say in the 30th minute that gave them their fifth victory of the season.

Devashish Sharma scored Lumbini's fifth goal of the game in the 34th but that was not enough to save them from relegation.