NRT to play AFC Presidents Cup

KATHMANDU: New Road Team (NRT) are all set to represent Nepal in the AFC President’s Cup qualifers to be played in Dhaka after finishing the first leg of the Martyrs Memorial San Miguel A Division League at the top here on Thursday. As agreed by the top flight A Division clubs, the first leg leaders were assured to represent in the May 12-16 Group A qualifiers. NRT needed a win against NIBL Friends Club to maintain their lead atop the standings and earn the President’s Cup berth but ended up playing a 2-2 draw. Had Nepal Police Club won their match against Tribhuvan Army Club later on the day, NRT would have slipped to second place, one point behind the departmental team. But luckily NPC and TAC also played a 1-1 draw meaning NRT finished top of the standing with 24 points, one point more than NPC. The Nepali outfit will open their President’s Cup qualifying campaign with a match against Abahani Limited of Bangla-desh on May 12 before taking on Dordoi Bishkek of Kyrgyzstan (May 14) and Yoedy of Chinese Taipei (May 16).