Lalitpur City FC became the first team to qualify for the playoffs of the Nepal Super League (NSL) 2025 after a 2-0 win against Butwal Lumbini FC on Saturday.
Goals from Ananta and Santosh Seal the Deal
The match, held at Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar, saw goals from Lalitpur City FC captain Ananta Tamang and midfielder Santosh Khatri.
Ananta opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a well-placed header from a corner delivered by Mani Lama. His goal gave Lalitpur an early lead and boosted the team’s momentum.
Just two minutes before the final whistle, Santosh Khatri doubled the lead with a brilliant goal from outside the penalty area. He controlled a precise pass from Imoh Ezekiel on the right wing and fired the ball into the net, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Lalitpur City FC Climb to the Top of the Table
With this victory, Lalitpur now sit at the top of the standings with 11 points from 5 matches. They have secured 3 wins and 2 draws, becoming the first team to confirm their place in the playoffs.
Since Lalitpur won’t be facing Kathmandu RayZers and Pokhara Thunders—teams that are no longer in contention—their playoff qualification is confirmed with one game still to go.
Their final league match will be against Jhapa FC, and a win there could strengthen their chances of finishing in the top two.
A Disappointing Season for Butwal Lumbini FC
Meanwhile, Butwal Lumbini’s campaign has ended in disappointment. With 4 losses and 1 draw in 5 matches, they’ve collected only 1 point and are at the bottom of the league table. This defeat confirms their elimination from the playoff race.
Butwal will play their final match against Pokhara Thunders. However, even a surprise win won’t change their fate—they’re likely to finish last in the standings.
What’s Next?
- Lalitpur City FC: Will face Jhapa FC in their final league match.
- Butwal Lumbini FC: Will play their last game against Pokhara Thunders, hoping to end their season on a positive note.
NSL 2025 is heating up, and with playoffs just around the corner, the competition is only going to get more intense!
