NSL final: Lalitpur face Pokhara in title showdown

KATHMANDU: Lalitpur City FC, the reigning champions, are set to face Pokhara Thunders in the grand finale of the third edition of the Nepal Super League (NSL) on Saturday at Dasharath Stadium.

Both teams expressed confidence in clinching the title during the pre-match press conference held on Friday.

While this will be Lalitpur’s second consecutive appearance in the final, Pokhara is making its maiden appearance at this stage.

The journey to the final has been contrasting for the two sides.

Lalitpur City FC topped the league table with an unbeaten run and secured their place in the final after defeating two-time finalists Dhangadhi FC in the first qualifier.

Pokhara Thunders, on the other hand, had a rocky start, losing their first two matches.

However, they staged a remarkable comeback, edging out Kathmandu RayZrs on goal difference to qualify for the playoffs in fourth place.

They then beat Chitwan in the eliminator and overcame Dhangadhi in the second qualifier to book their spot in the final.

Pokhara’s head coach Suman Shrestha expressed his pride in the team’s journey. “Reaching the final is a matter of great pride. The team is full of confidence and both physically and mentally prepared,” he said.

Acknowledging Lalitpur’s strength, Shrestha added, “They are a strong team, and we’ve prepared our strategy accordingly. We are confident in our ability to execute our plans.”

Reflecting on their 3-2 loss to Lalitpur in the league stage, Shrestha highlighted the progress his team has made. “Since that match, we’ve improved significantly. With every game, we’ve grown stronger, and that in itself is a big achievement.”

Shrestha also raised concerns about refereeing standards in the league, particularly referencing the controversial decision to overturn Lalitpur midfielder Mani Kumar Lama’s red card. “NSL has given great opportunities to players and coaches, but decisions like this create confusion. There needs to be more clarity and accountability.”

Lalitpur head coach Simon Nicholas Grayson appeared calm and confident ahead of the final. “We’ve had ample rest and excellent preparation. The team is mentally and physically ready. We’re excited to defend our title,” he stated.

Speaking about Lama’s red card incident, Grayson said, “The decision was initially unclear, but we appealed and won. His absence would have disrupted our strategy—he’s a key player for us.”

Lalitpur captain Ananta Tamang emphasized the importance of team bonding and preparation. “We’ve had 5–6 days of rest since the qualifier, and the preparation has gone well. I always try to strengthen the connection among players, and that unity is reflected in our results.”

Tamang also acknowledged Pokhara’s recent improvement. “They’ve grown stronger with each match. We’ve analyzed their weaknesses and will focus on exploiting them. The reversal of Mani’s red card is not just a win for us, but a positive step for Nepali football as a whole.”

Lalitpur will aim to defend their title with consistent performance being their biggest strength throughout the campaign. Pokhara, chasing their first-ever NSL title, will rely on their momentum and recent string of victories.

Pokhara Thunders’ Road to the Final:

• Lost to Chitwan (0-2)

• Lost to Lalitpur (2-3)

• Beat Kathmandu (2-0)

• Drew with Dhangadhi (0-0)

• Drew with Jhapa (1-1)

• Beat Butwal (2-0)

With 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, Pokhara collected 8 points, edging out Kathmandu on goal difference to qualify for the playoffs.

• Eliminator: Beat Chitwan (3-0)

• Second Qualifier: Beat Dhangadhi (1-0)

Lalitpur City FC’s Road to the Final:

• Drew with Kathmandu (2-2)

• Beat Pokhara (3-2)

• Drew with Dhangadhi (0-0)

• Beat Chitwan (2-1)

• Beat Butwal (2-0)

• Drew with Jhapa (1-1)

With 3 wins and 3 draws, Lalitpur finished unbeaten with 12 points and topped the league table.

• First Qualifier: Beat Dhangadhi (2-1)

Will Lalitpur defend their crown or will Pokhara script history with their first-ever title? All eyes are on Saturday’s final.