KATHMANDU, MAY 2

Pokhara Thunders and Lalitpur City Football Club played a goalless draw in the Khukri Nepal Super League match here at the Dasharath Stadium today.

With their second draw in four matches, Pokhara moved to third position with five points from four matches, behind Butwal-Lumbini FC on inferior goal difference.

Lalitpur remained at the sixth position with three points in the seven-team competition after their third draw.

Dhangadhi Football Club lead the standing with seven points, while Biratnagar City FC and Kathmandu RayZrs have four points each. FC Chitwan are at the bottom of the table with two points.

On Sunday, Pokhara skipper Nawayug Shrestha came close to opening the scores in the seventh minute but the national team striker ended up with a wide shot. Pokhara created another chance in the 20th minute and Shrestha was to blame again as he shot inches over the bar after beating Lalitpur goalkeeper Arpan Karki.

Shrestha muffed up yet another opportunity for Pokhara in the 44th minute when he ended up with a wide shot off the post after receiving a pass from Ravi Paswan.

At the other end, Lalitpur came close to breaking the deadlock in the 52nd minute but they were unlucky.

Pokhara defender Anit Bhandari made a goalline clearance to deny Anjan Bista's chip over advancing custodian Deep Karki following a pass from Ketcha Yannik.

Pravesh Kunwar of Lalitpur was named the man of the match, while Pokhara's Ayush Ghalan was adjudged the emerging player. On Monday, FC Chitwan will take on Biratnagar City FC.

Meanwhile, Lalitpur City FC coach Pradeep Humahain resigned after a run of poor performance of the team.

Humagain came under pressure after the team faced a defeat and drew three matches in the first four games of the tournament. 'Taking all the responsibilities (of poor show), I am resigning from the post of head coach of the club,' said Humagain. He also thanked the club for trusting him and the staff and fans for the support.

A total of seven teams are taking part in the first-ever franchise-based football tournament organised by Nepal Sports and Event Management Pvt Ltd under the sponsorship of Khukri. Top two teams will receive Rs 3.5 million and Rs 1.5 million respectively, while the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward and emerging player will get Rs 100,000 each. Man-of-the-match and emerging player in each game will receive Rs 25,000 and 10,000 respectively. A version of this article appears in the print on May 3, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.