By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – The chances of Tribhuvan Army Football Club representing Nepal in the AFC Cup qualifiers have come to an end after they were held to a draw by Ruslan Three Star Club in their Qatar Airways Martyrs Memorial A Division League match on Sunday.
The two teams shared spoils in a goalless draw at the Dasharath Stadium.
With another licensed team APF hovering around the relegation zone, only Machhindra Football Club and Manang Marshyangdi Club are now in contention for the qualifiers. Four teams that have acquired license from AFC were eligible to contest the qualifiers after the seventh round provided that they finish top among the 14 teams competing in the domestic league of Nepal. But two of them have already been eliminated from the race.
It was a must-win match for Army to keep alive their hopes of making it to the Asian-level qualifiers. However, Army failed to achieve a favourable result. Now, all eyes will be fixed on Manang Marshyangdi Club who face BBC in the seventh round in Pokhara and Machhindra who will lock horns with Nepal Police Club.
During the last season, defending champions Machhindra were denied an opportunity to contest the AFC Cup qualifiers as they had not acquired license from AFC. Second-placed Army had represented Nepal in the AFC Cup qualifiers at the expense of Machhindra FC.
During Sunday’s match, both Army and Three Star had created some chances by they failed to convert them into goals leading to the stalemate.
With the draw, unbeaten Army have managed 10 points from six matches and are fourth in the points table. Meanwhile, Sankata defeated Brigade Boys Club 3-0 in another match earlier on Sunday to climb above Army to the third position.
Three Star, which have played four draws this season, have 7 points from six matches and are seventh in the standings. Three Star are ahead of eight-placed NRT on goal difference.
League leaders Machhindra have 14 points followed by MMC with 13 points and Sankata with 12 points.
