Kathmandu, February 20:

Martyrs’ Memorial National League has ultimately reached to climax with Nabil Three Star and Manang Marsyangdi fighting for the championship in Tuesday’s grand finale.

Like in 2005 when Three Star won the league title with a 0-0 draw against Mahendra Police Club, MMC needs just a draw as it has 65 points to that of 63 of the defending champions. One more similarity is that the charm of winning the best players awards — Yamaha G-5.

Yamaha has announced a motorcycle each for the five best individuals — defender, midfielder, striker, goalkeeper and coach. The suspense of the winners will be unveiled only after the final match. TSC’s Upendra Man Singh is one of the contenders for the best goalkeeper’s award while Vijay Gurung and Vishan Gauc-han, also of TSC, are on line to win the midfielder’s award along with Raju Tamang of Tribhuvan Army Club.

Gyanendra Armed Police Force (APF) Officers’ Club, who finished fifth, might be expecting over their midfielder Man Sajan Rajbhandari but he is up against several tough competitors to win the honour.

Ritesh Thapa of Mahendra Police Club has once again been successful to earn praise with his goalkeeping. Sagar Thapa of MMC has been performing well as a defender.

Except for few matches in the first leg, dark horse of the tournament, New Road Team, finished sixth in the table. They were exceptional in the second leg with its goalkeeper Surendra Tamang leading the team. Surendra is also a good contender to win the Yamaha G-5 for the best goalkeeper.

RCT, BBC and Sankata finished in the mid-table after NRT. Obagbemiro Junior of BBC proved himself as one of the best players of the league. His skill and killer instinct was exceptional and finished joint topscorer with RCT’s Rishi Rai with 27 goals.

Among the favourites to win the best coach award are mostly from the top teams. Chhiring Lopsang of MMC, Migrendra Mishra of TSC, Kishore KC of TAC and MPC’s Yogamber Suwal are among the coaches, who is expected to win the Yamaha G-5.