2023 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League
Season | 2023 |
---|---|
Dates | 3 March – 10 June |
Champions | Church Boys United |
Relegated | APF Club FC Khumaltar |
AFC Challenge League | Church Boys United |
AFC Cup | Machhindra F.C.[1] |
Matches played | 182 |
Goals scored | 437 (2.4 per match) |
Top goalscorer | ![]() (23 goals) |
Biggest win | Friends Club 6-0 Himalayan Sherpa Club (17 April 2023) |
Highest scoring | 10 Goals Machhindra F.C. 7–3 FC Khumaltar (11 April 2023) |
Longest winning run | 5 matches Nepal Police Club |
Longest unbeaten run | 11 matches Manang Marshyangdi Club |
Longest winless run | 14 matches Three Star Club |
Longest losing run | 6 matches Manang Marshyangdi Club |
← 2021–22 2024 →
All statistics correct as of 10 June 2023. |
The 2023 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League (Nepali: शहीद स्मारक ए डिभिजन लिग २०७९) was the 45th edition of the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League since its establishment in 1954–55. A total of 14 teams competed in the league.
Machhindra F.C. were the defending champions.
The league was scheduled to begin on 10 January 2023 but was pushed back to begin on 3 March 2023 due to a conflict between the All Nepal Football Association and the clubs regarding up-front payments.[2][3]
On 6 June 2023, Church Boys United were crowned as league winners for the first time in club history, in what the Kathmandu Post called a "fairytale run," resulting in the team winning the title for three consecutive seasons after being promoted in the two years prior respectively.[4] However, as the champions could not secure AFC club licensing, the second-placed team Machhindra F.C. was qualified for the 2023–24 AFC Cup preliminary round 1.[5]
The season would also be the first time that one of Nepal's three departmental clubs consisting of outfits of the Army, the Police and the Armed Police Force would be relegated with the last team coming second to last and being relegated to the Martyr's Memorial B-Division League .[6]
Participating teams
[edit]The following 14 teams competed in the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League in the 2022–23 season, with 12 teams from the previous season and Church Boys United and FC Khumaltar promoted from the 2022 B-Division League.
Location
[edit]Team | Location | Previous Season |
---|---|---|
Church Boys United | Kathmandu | 1st (2022 B-Division) |
Himalayan Sherpa Club | 10th | |
Machhindra F.C. | 1st | |
New Road Team | 3rd | |
Sankata BSC | 7th | |
Tribhuwan Army F.C. | 2nd | |
Nepal APF FC | 8th | |
Nepal Police Club | 11th | |
Friends Club | Lalitpur | 12th |
Jawalakhel YC | 9th | |
FC Khumaltar | 2nd (2022 B-Division) | |
Satdobato Youth Club | 4th | |
Three Star Club | 6th | |
Manang Marshyangdi Club | Kathmandu[a] | 5th |
Personnel and kits
[edit]Team | Coach | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
---|---|---|---|---|
Church Boys United | ![]() |
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Anee Sports | API Power Company Limited |
Friends Club | ![]() |
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Ucan | |
Himalayan Sherpa Club | ![]() |
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KTM CTY | |
Jawalakhel YC | ![]() |
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Jersey Pasal Nepal[9] | |
FC Khumaltar | ![]() |
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Standard Fashion | Vianet Communication |
Machhindra F.C. | ![]() |
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Kelme | Pepe Pizza |
Manang Marshyangdi Club | ![]() |
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KTM CTY | |
Nepal APF F.C. | ![]() |
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Kelme | |
Nepal Police Club | ![]() |
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Kelme | |
New Road Team | ![]() |
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Kelme | Shikhar Insurance |
Sankata BSC | ![]() |
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Ucan | |
Satdobato Youth Club | ![]() |
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Li-Ning | Royal Blue |
Tribhuvan Army F.C. | ![]() |
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Kelme | |
Three Star Club | ![]() |
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Euro Passion USA |
Foreign players
[edit]All Nepal Football Association has allowed a maximum of four foreign players including two from Asian country per team.
Club | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | AFC Player | SAFF Player | Former Player |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Church Boys United | ![]() |
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Friends Club | ![]() |
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Himalayan Sherpa Club | ![]() |
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Jawalakhel YC | ![]() |
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FC Khumaltar | ![]() |
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Machhindra F.C. | ![]() |
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Manang Marshyangdi Club | ![]() |
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Nepal APF F.C. | ![]() |
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Nepal Police Club | ![]() |
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New Road Team | ![]() |
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Sankata BSC | ![]() |
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Satdobato Youth Club | ![]() |
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Tribhuvan Army Club | ||||||
Three Star Club | ![]() |
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Head coaching changes
[edit]Team | Outgoing coach | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming coach | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manang Marshyangdi Club | ![]() |
Personal Issues | 1 May 2023[40] | ![]() |
6 May 2023 | |
Church Boys United | ![]() |
Work permit issues[41] | 6 April 2023[42] | 3rd | ![]() |
13 April 2023 |
Machhindra Football Club | ![]() |
Appointed National Coach Assistant[43] | 9 April 2023 | ![]() |
9 April 2023 |
Venues
[edit]The league was played in two cities in the Kathmandu Valley.[45]
Kathmandu | Lalitpur | |
---|---|---|
Dasarath Rangasala | Chyasal Stadium | ANFA Complex |
Capacity: 15,000 | Capacity: 10,000 | Capacity: 6,000[citation needed] |
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Regular season
[edit]League table
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Church Boys United (C) | 26 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 34 | 15 | +19 | 48 | Qualification for 2024-25 AFC Challenge League playoff round |
2 | Machhindra FC | 26 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 41 | 26 | +15 | 45 | Qualification for 2023–24 AFC Cup preliminary round 1[a] |
3 | Nepal Police Club | 26 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 29 | 30 | −1 | 41 | |
4 | Jawalakhel YC | 26 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 39 | 33 | +6 | 37 | |
5 | Satdobato Youth Club | 26 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 35 | |
6 | New Road Team F.C. | 26 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 33 | 37 | −4 | 34[b] | |
7 | Tribhuvan Army F.C. | 26 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 30 | 29 | +1 | 34[b] | |
8 | Manang Marshyangdi Club | 26 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 25 | 29 | −4 | 32[c] | |
9 | Three Star Club | 26 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 32[c] | |
10 | Sankata BSC | 26 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 27 | 30 | −3 | 32[c] | |
11 | Himalayan Sherpa Club | 26 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 28 | 35 | −7 | 31 | |
12 | Friends Club | 26 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 42 | 37 | +5 | 30[d] | |
13 | Nepal APF F.C. (R) | 26 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 29 | 36 | −7 | 30[d] | Relegation to 2024 Martyr's Memorial B-Division League |
14 | FC Khumaltar (R) | 26 | 8 | 3 | 15 | 34 | 54 | −20 | 27 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) head-to-head; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored.
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ Church Boys United failed to obtain an AFC club license and were replaced by the next highest placed team with a license.
- ^ a b Head-to-head: New Road 3–3 Tribhuvan Army, New Road 1–0 Tribhuvan Army
- ^ a b c Head-to-head points: Manang Marshyangdi 8, Three Star 5, Sankata 2
- ^ a b Head-to-head: Friends 1–1 Nepal APF, Friends 4–0 Nepal APF
Results
[edit]1st Round
[edit]2nd Round
[edit]Positions by round
[edit]Leader | |
Relegation to B-Division |
Results by games
[edit]Season statistics
[edit]Scoring
[edit]Top Goal Scorers
[edit]As of 10 June 2023[46]
Rank | Player | Team | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Machhindra FC | 23 |
2 | ![]() |
Khumaltar FC | 18 |
3 | ![]() |
Jawalakhel YC | 16 |
4 | ![]() |
Friends | 14 |
5 | ![]() |
Satdobato YC | 12 |
6 | ![]() |
Khumaltar FC | 10 |
7 | ![]() |
Manang Marshyangdi Club | 9 |
Hat-tricks
[edit]Player | For | Against | Result | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
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Machhindra FC | Khumaltar FC | 7–3[47] | 11 April 2023 |
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Khumaltar FC | Jawalakhel YC | 4–2[48] | 5 May 2023 |
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Church Boys | New Road Team | 4–1[49] | 6 May 2023 |
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Machhindra FC | Satdobato YC | 3–1[50] | 31 May 2023 |
- 5 Player scored 5 goals
Clean Sheets
[edit]As of 10 June 2023[51]
Rank | Player | Team | Clean sheets |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Church Boys | 11 |
2 | ![]() |
Machhindra FC | 9 |
3 | ![]() |
Manang Marshyangdi Club | 8 |
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Three Star Club | ||
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Nepal Police Club | ||
6 | ![]() |
Satdobato YC | 7 |
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Tribhuvan Army Club | ||
8 | ![]() |
Sankata BSC | 6 |
Awards
[edit]End-of-Season Awards
[edit]Award[52] | Winner | Club |
---|---|---|
Player of the Season | ![]() |
Church Boys United |
Emerging Player | ![]() |
Three Star Club |
Top Scorer | ![]() |
Machhindra F.C. |
Best Goalkeeper | ![]() |
Church Boys United |
Fair Play | Nepal Police Club |
Controversy
[edit]The All Nepal Football Association sanctioned Sankata BSC for delaying the kick-off of their match against Nepal APF FC and latter club for delaying the kick-off of the second half of the game.[53][54]
FC Khumaltar was also sanctioned for breaking locker-room chairs after a 7–3 loss to Machhindra FC at Chyasal Stadium.[53]
After attempting to "attack"a referee following a 1–1 draw against New Road Team, players of Machhindra FC were sanctioned by the Football Association.[53]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Machhindra secure second spot as relegation drama continues". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
- ^ "'A' Division League from March 3 next year". The Kathmandu Post. 30 December 2022. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- ^ "A-Division League pushed to March 2023". Online Khabar. 30 December 2022. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- ^ Magar, Dil Kumar Ale (6 June 2023). "Church Boys cap fairytale run with 'A' Division League crown". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Timalsina, Kushal (16 June 2023). "An underdog's rise to glory: Church Boys United's remarkable rise from C Division to A Division Champions". Online Khabar. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ "Late drama rescues Three Star, APF relegated to 'B' div". The Kathmandu Post. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ "NOC Manang Marshyangdi Club". All Nepal Football Association. Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ "New Coach Announcement". Jawalakhel Youth Club. 12 February 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "JYC 🤝🏻 Jersey Pasal Nepal". Jawalakhel Youth Club. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "Gurung swaps Khumaltar for Manang". Hamro Khelkud. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ "𝘈 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳". Manang Marshyangdi Club. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ "Jagadamba Steel 13th Jeetpur Simara Gold Cup: Church Boys United Enter Final". GoalNepal.com. 30 March 2023. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023.
- ^ "Player profile: Gagandeep Singh". hamrokhelkud.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Ghana's Manuel Nana Agyemang joins Himalayan Sherpa FC in Nepal". Football Ghana. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ "Welcome Mohamad Mahmoud Kdouh to Himalayan Sherpa Club ". Himalayan Sherpa Club. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "Player profile: Satyam Sharma". hamrokhelkud.com. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
- ^ "New signing Alert". Jawalakhel Youth Club. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "Welcome Back". Jawalakhel Youth Club. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "New Signings Alert". Jawalakhel Youth Club. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "Player profile: Rahul Khokhar". hamrokhelkud.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "Bringing a package of creativity and goals". Khumaltar FC. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "Unleashing our secret weapon into the squad". Khumaltar FC. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "Hold on guys because he is holding the midfield". Khumaltar FC. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "भारतीय रक्षक सन्विल खुमलटारमा अनुबन्ध" [Khumaltar sign Indian footballer] (in Nepali). Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ "Khumaltar Sign Abishek Verma With Their Asian Quota". goalnepal.com. Kathmandu: Goal Nepal. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ Suzuki, Yuta (16 March 2023). "Hello Nepal I'm a White Lions". Instagram. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ "Machhindra FC sign 'Bhutanese Ronaldo' Chencho Gyeltshen". OnlineKhabar. 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
- ^ "A Division League Transfer: White Lions Sign Dayananda". Goal Nepal. 14 February 2023. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ "Official Announcement". Manang Marshyangdi Club. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ a b "OFFICIAL : NEW SIGNINGS". Manang Marshyangdi Club. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ "UZBEK FLAIR". Manang Marshyangdi Club. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
- ^ "Player profile: Yash Tukaram Mahatare". hamrokhelkud.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "رسميا.. حجازي يوقع لشرطة نيبال" (in Arabic). Kooora. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "Player profile: Muhammed Ashiq Shoukathali". hamrokhelkud.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ "A Division League Warm Up: NRT Beats Church Boys In A Pre-Season Friendly". goalnepal.com. Goal Nepal. 4 February 2023. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023.
- ^ "एनआरटीले विदेशी कोटामा भित्र्यायो ३ क्यामरुनी र २ भारतीय खेलाडी" [NRT has brought in 3 Cameroonian and 2 Indian players in the foreign quota]. sabaikhel.com (in Nepali). 20 February 2023. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "Player profile: Sandip Alay". hamrokhelkud.com. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ "Serbian Player in Ivan Marić is playing for Satdobato Youth Club in today's game". Football Philosophers. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "SSardorbek Matmuratov from Uzbekistan". Football Philosophers. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "Announcement". Manang Marshyangdi Club. 1 May 2023.
- ^ "CBU squander chance to go top". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
- ^ "Church Boys United Football Club would like to inform that the club has parted ways with its Coach Pradip Humagain". Church Boys United. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ "Thank you, Coach". Machhindra Football Club. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ "We are delighted to announce". Machhindra Football Club. 9 April 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ "Preparations in full swing for Martyr's Memorial 'A' Division League". All Nepal Football Association. 3 February 2023. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ "Martyr's Memorial A Division League 2079 - Top Scorers". Hamrokhelkud. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- ^ "Machhindra FC vs FC Khumaltar - 2023-04-11 - Martyr's Memorial A Division League 2079 (2023)". Hamrokhelkud. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "FC Khumaltar vs Jawalakhel Youth Club - 2023-05-05 - Martyr's Memorial A Division League 2079 (2023)". Hamrokhelkud. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ^ "New Road Team vs Church Boys United - 2023-05-06 - Martyr's Memorial A Division League 2079 (2023)". Hamrokhelkud. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ^ "Satdobato Youth Club vs Machhindra FC - 2023-05-31 - Martyr's Memorial A Division League 2079 (2023)". Hamrokhelkud. 2023-04-30. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
- ^ "Martyr's Memorial A Division League 2079 (2023)". Hamrokhelkud. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
- ^ "Ananta Tamang Most Valuable player, Laken Limbu Emerging Player". All Nepal Football Association. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ a b c "Disciplinary Committee takes action against Sankata, Machhindra, Khumaltar and APF". The All Nepal Football Association. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ "Sankata pip Nepal APF in controversial tie". The Himalayan Times. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.