Jhapa FC wrapped up their Nepal Super League (NSL) 2025 campaign without a single win, settling for a 1-1 draw against Lalitpur City FC on Wednesday.
A Point in a Meaningless Match
The match held at the Dasharath Stadium had no impact on the playoff race. While Jhapa were already out of contention, Lalitpur had secured a playoff spot before the match.
Jhapa FC ended their season with 5 draws and 1 loss in 6 matches, collecting 5 points to sit in 6th position. On the other hand, defending champions Lalitpur extended their unbeaten streak, claiming their third draw of the league. With 12 points from 6 matches, they climbed to the top of the table.
Goals in the Second Half
Both teams found the net in the second half. Lalitpur took the lead in the 53rd minute through Nabin Lama, who scored with a header off an assist from Anmol Bhandari.
Jhapa, however, responded just 12 minutes later. Team captain Laken Limbu equalized in the 65th minute, converting a pass from Pravin Basnet.
All-Nepali Lineups in the Second Half
One of the highlights of the match was that both teams had only Nepali players on the field by the final whistle.
Initially, Lalitpur started with two foreign players, while Jhapa fielded three. However, Lalitpur substituted both their foreigners at halftime. Jhapa followed suit by replacing all three of their foreign players before the 80-minute mark.
Interestingly, when Lalitpur scored their goal, all 11 players on the pitch were Nepali—a proud moment reflecting local talent.
Final Standing of Jhapa FC and Lalitpur City FC
- Jhapa FC: 6 matches, 5 draws, 1 loss, 5 points, 6th place
- Lalitpur City FC: 6 matches, 3 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses, 12 points, 1st place
Despite the match being inconsequential, it showcased the strength of homegrown players and ended Jhapa’s campaign on a slightly positive note with a well-earned point.
