KATHMANDU, JUNE 6
Newcomers Church Boys United sealed the Martyrs Memorial A Division League title here at the Dasharath Stadium today.
United earned a point they needed from a goalless stalemate with Three Star Club in the penultimate round match at the Dasharath Stadium.
With their ninth draw to add to 12 wins in 25 matches, United accumulated 45 points. Two-time defending champions Machhindra FC are second on 39 points and they cannot overtake United even though they win their remaining two matches, thanks to the headto-head results.
In the day's other matches, FC Khumaltar defeated Nepal APF FC 3-1, while Tribhuvan Army FC and Nepal Police Club played a 1-1 stalemate in the departmental derby.
Royal Blue Satdobato Youth Club beat Jawalakhel Youth Club 1-0 ub a late match. Third-placed NPC have 38 points from 25matches, while Jawalakhel Youth Club are fourth on 37.
Satdobato Youth Club are fifth on 35, while Manang Marshyangdi Club are at the sixth place with 32 points.
Army and Himalayan Sherpa Club have 31 points each, while Sankata Club, New Road Team and APF have 30 each. Following their 11th draw in 25 matches, Three Star remained at the 12th position and they are just two points ahead of Khumaltar, while Friends Club are at the bottom of the 14- team table with 26 points.
United won the Martyrs Memorial C Division League in 2019-20 season and claimed the B Division title in 2021-22. United became the first newcomers to win the Martyrs Memorial A Division league title in 37 years. MMC had achieved the feat in 1986. MMC won three consecutive titles and are the most successful team with eight crowns.
United coach Balgopal Maharjan, who finally won the first league title which was missing from his closet, thanked the players and management for the achievement. "We were able to win the title because of hard work and dedication of the players and management," said Maharjan. "So, all credit should go to the team, players and management," he added. "And I would like to thank fans and all stakeholders including the sponsors for the support in our journey."
"Although I have won a lot of titles and trophies in my career, the league title was missing in the collection. I am very happy to get the one today and it is like a reward from the players with whom I have worked for a long time," said Maharjan, who took over the team after the completion of eight rounds.
Skipper Ananta Thapa said he was satisfied with the overall journey. "It's my first league title and it's a special one," he said. "I am happy with my decision to join the club. It was a new team and I was reluctant in the beginning.
I joined them after going through the list of players in the squad and it had the potential to win the title. I think, I made the right decision at that time," he said.
Tamang said he was a bit nervous to face his former club Three Star on a big day.
"I was a little nervous in the beginning and I was emotional as well. But we had come with the plan of taking all three points from the match although we needed just a draw to seal the title," he said. Tamang said he was sad not to be able to take United to international stage in the absence of AFC club license.
"We came to know about this very late and I think it's a missed opportunity for all of us," he added.
Striker Anjan Bista lauded the team management for strong support throughout the journey. "I came a bit late due to my commitment in Indian league and I was not able to play in the middle due to injury. But I think I could when the team needed my help," he said. "The team management was always there for us and we have achieved what the team wanted, although we went through ups and downs at times," he added.
A version of this article appears in the print on June 7, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
