Sunday, February 9

League runners-up Machhindra FC to face Paro FC in AFC Cup Qualifiers preliminary stage

By a Staff Reporter

Kathmandu – The Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League 2023 runners-up, Machhindra Football Club is confirmed to represent Nepal in the preliminary stage of the AFC Cup Qualifiers. This opportunity arose after the league champions, Church Boys United, failed to secure the AFC Club License required for participation.

The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has confirmed that Machhindra FC will go head-to-head against Paro FC, a prominent team from Bhutan, in the preliminary stage of the qualifiers on August 8. However, the venue for the match is yet to be finalized.

Earlier, in the previous edition of the tournament, Machhindra FC competed against Sri Lanka’s Blue Star at Dasharath Stadium but failed to progress to the next round, suffering a 2-0 defeat.

Machhindra FC, along with Tribhuvan Army Football Club and APF Football Club, had obtained the AFC Club License, enabling them to participate in the competition. However, APF FC, the license holder, has been relegated to the second-tier league.

Church Boys United, in their inaugural season, clinched the prestigious Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League title by accumulating 48 points from 26 matches, comprising 13 wins, 9 draws, and 4 losses.

Nevertheless, their failure to secure the AFC Club License paved the way for Machhindra FC, who finished second in the league, to compete in the AFC Cup Qualifiers’ preliminary stage.

With 45 points, including 12 wins, 9 draws, and 5 losses, two-time defending champions Machhindra FC finished as the league runners-up.

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