KATHMANDU: Football leagues become exciting when it becomes difficult to predict the winner. The ongoing Martyrs Memorial A Division League has also become unpredictable. The competition among clubs is so intense that it is difficult to determine who will win the league, and who is going down.
Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) and Church Boys United, a newly promoted team, currently share the top spot in the league with 30 points each. However, JYC has played one game more than Church Boys United. JYC returned to the top of the table with a 4-1 victory over Friends Club on Thursday.
JYC is leading the points table after the 9th round. It maintained the position until the 14th round. However, two consecutive defeats caused the club to slip from the top spot. Nevertheless, JYC managed to reclaim the top spot by winning its last two matches. JYC’s position at the top, however, is not secure as Church Boys can climb to the top spot if it defeats Tribhuvan Army Club on Saturday.
The competition among the clubs in the top half of the league is so intense that only three points separate the teams placed from third to sixth. Three Star Club is in the third position in the table with 25 points, while APF Football Club is sixth with 22 points.
Rich history
JYC, which is in its 51st year of operation, boasts a rich football history. The club’s existence can be traced back to the era of the tyrannical Rana regime. It was one of the participating clubs in the inaugural edition of the ‘A’ Division league held in 1954. However, the club was formally established in 1972.
Despite its longstanding presence, the club has struggled to achieve significant success in domestic football. JYC has not been able to win the league so far. Its highest achievement has been finishing in second place. The club achieved the feat in 1981 and 1983. Kishor KC was a key player for JYC when it secured the second position in 1983. KC, who had a long association with the club, is currently the Head Coach of Machhindra Club.
While winning the league is typically the primary objective for teams finishing in second place, JYC has historically been content with mid-table finishes. Avoiding relegation has often been the team’s main target each season. However, this time around, there seems to be a notable shift in their aspirations. The team’s on-field efforts and its position in the league table suggest that it is a strong contender for the title. Nevertheless, Head Coach Sunil Shrestha holds a different opinion.
Shrestha says the club is not in the race for the title. Despite consistently being in the top four throughout the season, Shrestha’s reaction following Thursday’s victory was surprising. “We are now safe from relegation. It has provided some relief. We can now aim to finish the league in higher positions,” he added.
A surprising season
JYC’s performance in the league this season has taken everyone by surprise. It kicked off the league with an impressive 3-1 victory over two-time champion Machhindra Club, making a comeback after conceding the first goal. It suffered only three defeats in its first 13 matches, showing its strong title credentials.
However, the team’s form experienced a slight dip thereafter. JYC suffered consecutive defeats against Nepal Police Club and FC Khumaltar in its 14th and 15th matches, raising doubts among critics about their chances of winning the title. Nevertheless, Jawalakhel managed to bounce back by winning their next two games, propelling themselves back to the top of the table.
Despite the club’s impressive performance and their recent victories, Shrestha remains cautious about labeling them as title contenders. He believes that the team had a poor showing in their match against FC Khumaltar, which was one of the worst performances of the season. “If we hadn’t suffered those two defeats, we would have cemented our position at the top of the table,” Shrestha said.
With nine games remaining in the league, Shrestha believes that if his team plays at its best, it has a chance to finish at the top.
Excellent teamwork
JYC doesn’t have star players in its fold. However, it has not hindered the club because its foreign recruits have been exceptional. Players like Nkoto Masoabi, Abdulaziz Nishonbayev, Fode Fofana, Rahul, and Abdul Majid Shamatey have been standout performers for the club. Masoabi, in particular, is in contention for the league’s top-scorer title. He has netted 12 goals and trails the league’s leading scorer Messouke Oloumou by just two goals. Winger Fofana has also made significant contributions with eight goals to his name. Their success is often attributed to the club’s homegrown talent – Hisub Thapaliya. Thapaliya serves as the playmaker for JYC and plays a crucial role in their scoring exploits. He excels in ball control, creating space for his teammates, and applying pressure on the opposition. Thapaliya’s versatility allows him to perform effectively both with and without the ball. So far, he has scored three goals, showcasing his goal-scoring ability as well.
In terms of the team’s style of play, JYC doesn’t prioritize ball possession in the midfield. It tends to swiftly transition into attack once they regain possession. The club’s strength lies in its ability to launch quick counter-attacks. This can be attributed to the presence of three sharp forwards in their lineup. Additionally, the overlapping runs of players like Rahul and Captain Simant Thapa have been valuable assets for the team’s attacking play.
JYC has been fortunate compared to other title contenders like Machhindra and Tribhuvan Army Club, as it has been relatively unaffected by injury problems. Shrestha says that his players have been recovering from injuries sooner than expected.
Shrestha is optimistic about the remaining nine games because eight of them are at Dasharath Stadium and one at Chyasal Stadium. “The astroturf at the AFNA Complex negatively affects the performance of players. The switch to natural turf will allow the players to showcase their natural game and perform at their best,” he added.
JYC has emerged as the surprise package in the ongoing league. Unlike other teams that made significant noise in the transfer market, Jawalakhel quietly built their team and focused on disciplined leadership. Under the guidance of Shrestha, the team emphasizes not only player conduct but also tactical discipline in their strategy. Shrestha’s approach to coaching incorporates tactical discipline, ensuring that the team utilizes its skills and abilities to the fullest.
As a coach who rose from the academy setting, Shrestha may not have got the freedom to employ advanced tactics with young footballers. He is now utilizing tactical strategies to their maximum effect in the ongoing league. His ability to adapt and implement effective tactics has positioned him on track to become the best coach in the league.
