NSL third edition kicks off today

KATHMANDU: The third edition of the Nepal Super League (NSL) is set to begin today, with the opening match between Lalitpur City FC and Kathmandu Rangers, much like the inaugural edition.

Lalitpur, the defending champions, and Rangers, the winners of the first season, have faced each other twice in previous editions, with Rangers winning three out of the four encounters.

In the 2021 inaugural edition, Kathmandu Rangers defeated Lalitpur 1-0 in the opening match.

Later, Rangers triumphed 3-0 in the second qualifier.

In the previous season, Rangers won 1-0 in the league, but Lalitpur claimed a 3-0 victory over them in the playoffs.

Both teams had successful campaigns in their respective finals, with Kathmandu Rangers and Lalitpur defeating Dangadhi FC to lift their titles.

The highly anticipated match today is expected to be a thrilling encounter.

The game will be held at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar, with kick-off at 6:00 PM.

Lalitpur FC, despite missing some of their national team players due to international duties, has been preparing well for the competition.

Head coach Simon Grayson praised the learning process of the local players, noting the improved level of competition in the league. “It’s been a very positive experience working with local players. Their dedication and hard work are commendable. The opening match will be a challenge, but we are fully focused on winning,” said Grayson, a former player for clubs such as Leeds United, Leicester City, Aston Villa, and Blackburn Rovers.

Lalitpur’s captain, Ananta Tamang, also highlighted the challenges ahead in defending the title. “Preparation is almost complete. The competition this season will be much stronger, with each team having powerful foreign players and experienced coaches. We are learning new strategies and playing styles. Kathmandu is a strong team, so we will approach each match with a different strategy,” he said.

On the other hand, Kathmandu Rangers are geared up to start the season with high morale under the leadership of experienced Belgian coach Patrick De Wilde. “All seven teams in the NSL are in the title race. Although we couldn’t train with a full squad due to the international break, we are preparing our players to perform at their best. We expect strong fan support and are focused on winning. It’s exciting to play against a top team,” said De Wilde with confidence.

Rangers captain, Kuldeep Karki, expressed confidence in his team’s preparation and mindset. “We have been preparing for three weeks. We’ve had the opportunity to learn new strategies and playing styles from the coach. It has been a different experience compared to working with Nepali coaches. Our goal is clear – we are here to win. The impact of the second season won’t affect the third. We will approach the game with a positive mindset and are confident of securing victory,” he stated.

Head-to-Head Record Between Kathmandu Rangers and Lalitpur City FC in NSL:

• April 21, 2021 – Kathmandu 1-0 Lalitpur (League Round, Opening Match)

• May 13, 2021 – Kathmandu 3-0 Lalitpur (Second Qualifier)

• December 23, 2023 – Kathmandu 1-0 Lalitpur (League Round)

• December 26, 2023 – Kathmandu 0-3 Lalitpur (Playoffs)

Teams Competing in the Third Edition of NSL: Lalitpur City FC, Kathmandu Rangers FC, Pokhara Thunders FC, Butwal Lumbini FC, Dangadhi FC, Jhapa FC, and Chitwan FC will compete for the title in this season of the Nepal Super League.