The two heavyweights play to a goalless stalemate. Manang and Sankata also couldn’t score in the other match.

Both matches at the league on Monday—Satdobato vs Chitlang and Laligurans vs Machhindra—end in goalless stalemate.

Nepal beat Bhutan 2-1 on Monday to keep their hope for the final alive. However, India, who lost 0-2 to Bangladesh on Monday, also have high chances for the main event.

The 25th edition of the football tournament kicks off on February 10, with the final scheduled on February 21. It will be the first time in 25 editions that the event will be played under lights.

India, who have fielded a much younger team in the tournament, edge Nepal 1-0 while Bangladesh put a dozen past Bhutan.

The tournament involving four teams kicks off at Pokhara Stadium. Bangladesh face Bhutan, while hosts Nepal will meet India on the opening day of the tournament today.

Both the teams register their fourth consecutive win in the National League and have the same goal difference.

Laligurans Association stay unbeaten in the National League after a goalless draw with Tribhuvan Army FC in the other match of Tuesday, a day when ANFA was again criticised for using worn-out venues and sudden amendments in fixtures.

Manang Marsyangdi Club have won the top-tier league the most number of times—eight—and Nepal Police have won the league five times, the third-most after six titles by Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT).

Sunday is going to be a huge day in the league with three big fixtures.

APF beat Church Boys 4-1 while 10-man Sankata hold Friends’ Club Kopundole for a goalless draw in another match at Chyasal Stadium. NRT defeat Kankre Bihar 2-0 at ANFA Complex.

Nepal Police FC and Tribhuvan Army FC settle for draws against emerging clubs Chitlang FC and Planning Boyz United, respectively. The results underline a shifting domestic football landscape where legacy alone is not enough.

According to a notice signed by ANFA Election Committee’s Member-Secretary Lokendra Oli, the postponement was a result of the interim order by the Patan High Court.

Manang Marsyangdi, Nawa Jana Jagriti and Satdobato suffered straight losses in the National League on Monday.

For APF, the only deciding goal came in the 25th minute—an own goal scored by Friends’ Club’s Khemraj Shrestha.

The National League opener saw a winner, but the second match of the day between Shree Bhagawati Club and Church Boys United ended in a draw.

While presenting ANFA’s position, Rai laid out five main arguments.

As top-level Nepali footballers keep migrating to the land down under, the hunger for football in Nepali communities has been ensuring they remain in touch with the ball.

They won the title after Machhindra Club lost their must-win match against Friends’ Club Kopundole in the other match on Monday.

The AFC believes that the league will provide competitive balance and meaningful match exposure for Asian national teams.