Pokhara Thunders FC were in desperate need of three points on Tuesday as they faced Butwal Lumbini FC in what was their sixth and last game of the single round-robin league structure of the Nepal Super League Season 3.

Pokhara’s hopes of qualifying for the next round hinged on this crucial fixture.

But for Butwal Lumbini, the match wasn’t as important. They had started the season with a goalless draw against Jhapa FC, and gone on to lose the other four fixtures. Their hopes of qualifying for the next round were, thus, already over. But they were still intent on pulling off a consolation win.

That, however, was not to be and they were condemned to finish bottom as they lost the match 0-2.

Ayush Ghalan and William Biassi, both scoring through headers, sent Pokhara to the third position on Tuesday with the win. Pokhara now have eight points from six games. Kathmandu Rayzrs FC also have eight points from six games but have an inferior goal difference.

Kathmandu’s chance for the playoffs would have been more secure had Pokhara lost to Butwal Lumbini. But now, Kathmandu would have to wait for the final game of the league stage between FC Chitwan and Dhangadhi FC on April 17.

Chitwan are fifth in the table with seven points from five games. Only one point behind Pokhara and Kathmandu, Chitwan, who have a goal difference of 0, could trouble Kathmandu even with a draw against Dhangadhi. Kathmandu have a goal difference of -1.

First-placed Dhangadhi, on the other hand, would not be affected even with a loss against Chitwan. Dhangadhi, who are above Lalitpur City FC on goal difference, might drop to second if they lose to Chitwan, but they would still be playing in Qualifier 1 against Lalitpur because the duo cannot be challenged on points by any other teams, even with a massive win.

Defending champion Lalitpur also have one more game remaining, against Jhapa FC on Wednesday. They could reach the qualifier as the top-position team defeating Jhapa in a way that they also overwhelm Dhangadhi on goal difference; if not, Dhangadhi, with a win over Chitwan, would stay as the top team. It would also end Chitwan’s shot at the next stage, allowing Kathmandu to progress.

If so, it would be the third consecutive season that Dhangadhi, Lalitpur and Kathmandu enter the qualifier and eliminator as three of the Top 4 teams. While Kathmandu and Lalitpur won the NSL in the first two seasons, respectively, Dhangadhi were the runner-up in both instances.

As per the NSL’s tournament format, the top two teams play in Qualifier 1, with the winner entering the final. The loser of Qualifier 1 gets another chance to face the winner of the Eliminator—a battle between the third- and fourth-placed teams—in Qualifier 2. The winner of Qualifier 2 then joins the winner of Qualifier 1 in the fight for the title.