Debutant Khumaltar takes on Friends in league opener

KATHMANDU: The Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League is kicking off on Friday with top-flight debutant Khumaltar Youth Club taking on Friends Club at the Dasharath Stadium.

Friends, which had to work hard to avoid relegation in the previous season, is looking to start the league campaign with a bang, defeating fellow Lalitpur side Khumaltar Club, which is one of the two teams promoted to the ‘A’ Division last season.

Urjan Shrestha, who debuted as a coach with Three Star Club last year, is hoping for a top-six finish this season. “We have prepared well for the league and have played some friendlies. We won’t repeat mistakes that we made in those friendlies,” Shrestha said in the pre-match press conference. Urjan, who has coached Nepal’s U-17 team, said he was positive about a good league performance as Friends Club has a team of experienced players.

Prakash Budhathoki is captaining Friends Club this season, while the club has experienced players like Laxman Ruchal and Buddha Chemjong on the team. Friends has signed Dona Thapa and his brother Aaron, goalkeeper duo Bishal Sunar and Rajbabu Thapa, and U-23 players Asim Bhusal, Rupesh KC, Amit KC, and Rajesh Pariyar for this season.

Khumaltar, which is playing in the ‘A’ Division league for the first time, is naturally excited. It has recruited some good foreign players. Mesuke Oloumou and Stephen Binong, who were with the New Road Team last season, will play for Khumaltar this season.

Rejin Subba, who has played for Nepal in age-group tournaments, will captain Khumaltar Club. His father, Madan, is an assistant to Head Coach Yam Gurung. Gurung led the Nepali team to the second position in the SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship held in Bangladesh.

“We have recruited good foreign players and have prepared well. We are hoping to win the title,” Khumaltar Club’s CEO Bidur Shrestha said.

Captain Subba said he was hopeful that the team would get good results as it has a good mix of youth and experience.