2021–22 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League Explained
The 2021–22 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League (Nepali: शहीद स्मारक ए डिभिजन लिग २०७८), also known as the Qatar Airways Martyr's Memorial A-Division League for sponsorship reasons,[3] was the 44th edition of the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League since its establishment in 1954-55. A total of 14 teams competed in the league.
Machhindra F.C. were the defending champions.[4] Due to time constraints, i.e. the league finishing after the qualification cut-off, instead of the league winner, the All Nepal Football Association decided that the top team after matchday 7, Machhindra F.C., would represent the league in the 2022 AFC Cup preliminary round 1.
The league was scheduled to begin on 19 September 2021[5] but the date was pushed back to 15 November 2021 after multiple participating clubs demanded to postpone the league start due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal.[6] It was finally scheduled to be played from 19 November and matches were to be played only on weekends as opposed to being played throughout the week as had been the case during the previous seasons.[1]
On 16 February 2022, after matchday 11, Machhindra F.C. were crowned as league winners for the second consecutive time.[7]
Teams
A total of 14 teams, all based in the Kathmandu Valley, contested the league with a relegation system. Thirteen teams from the 2019–20 season and one team promoted from the B-Division participated in the league. Satdobato Youth Club, who debuted in the A-Division league, replaced Saraswoti Youth Club who were relegated after five seasons in the league. Prior to the season, Nepal Army Club reverted their name back to Tribhuvan Army F.C.,[8] a name that the team had used until the 2010 season.
Location
Personnel and kits
Foreign players
All Nepal Football Association allowed every team a maximum of four foreign players, including one from a SAARC-affiliated country.[19] For the first time, one of the departmental teams, APF Club, signed foreign players.[20]
Venues
The league was scheduled to be played centrally in two venues in two cities in the Kathmandu Valley.[3] Initially, ANFA Complex was chosen to be the third venue in the Valley. Selected matches of Manang Marsyangdi Club were held in Pokhara to honour the club's origins, making it the first season with matches outside of the Kathmandu Valley.[43] From matchday 13 onwards, ANFA Complex was reintroduced as a venue.[44]
League table
Results
Positions by round
Season statistics
Scoring
Top goalscorers
As of 26 February 2022
Hat-tricks
Clean sheets
Rank | Player | Team | Clean sheets |
---|
1 | Bishal Shrestha | Machhindra | 11 |
2 | Yves Priso | Three Star Club | 6 |
3 | Ajit Prajapati | New Road Team | 5 |
Bikesh Kuthu | Tribhuvan Army |
Raja Babu Thapa | Sankata BSC |
4 | Abhishek Baral | Satdobato Youth Club | 4 |
Tikendra Singh Thapa | Jawalakhel Youth Club |
5 | Bishal Sunar | Manang Marshyangdi Club | 3 |
Kuriyama Yuya | Nepal APF Club | |
Awards
End-of-season awards
Broadcast rights
Selected matches were broadcast live on Kantipur Television.[50]
All matches were also streamed live on Eleven Sports.[51]
Notes and References
- Web site: A Division League postponed until November 19 . All Nepal Football Association . 13 November 2021 . 13 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211113152531/https://the-anfa.com/news-detail/1335 . live .
- Web site: A Division League Under Lights For The First Time; 3K Spectators Enjoy The Opener . Goal Nepal . 20 November 2021 . 20 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211120065514/https://goalnepal.com/news/detail/12075 . live .
- News: Ticket price fixed, matches to be played on weekends . The All Nepal Football Association . 13 November 2021 . 12 November 2021 . 12 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211112142056/https://the-anfa.com/news-detail/1337 . live .
- Web site: South Asia Domestic Wrap: Gokulam Kerala, Machhindra emerge champions. 2021-06-30. the-AFC. en-GB. 2021-07-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182110/https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/south-asia-domestic-wrap-gokulam-kerala-machhindra-emerge-champions. live.
- Web site: Martyr's Memorial A Division League From November 15 Not From September 19. 2021-08-01. GoalNepal. 2021-08-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20210801161542/https://goalnepal.com/news/detail/11415. live.
- Web site: Four clubs ask ANFA to postpone 'A' Division league . The Kathmandu Post . 23 July 2021 . 23 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210723104518/https://kathmandupost.com/football/2021/07/21/four-clubs-ask-anfa-to-postpone-a-division-league . live .
- Web site: Machhindra become champion for second consecutive time after defeating Satdobato. the-anfa.com. All Nepal Football Association. 16 February 2022. 17 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220216111557/https://the-anfa.com/news-detail/1451. 16 February 2022.
- Web site: Nepal 2021/22 . . 1 March 2022 . 11 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220811021659/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nepal2022.html . live .
- Web site: ब्रिगेडका कप्तान अनिलद्वारा सम्झौता नवीकरण. 2021-08-02. www.khelpati.com. 2021-08-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20210802202857/https://www.khelpati.com/football/27048. live.
- Web site: A Division League Transfer: Prakash Budhathoki Joins Friends Club. 2021-08-12. GoalNepal. 2021-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20210812182956/https://www.goalnepal.com/news/detail/11425. live.
- Web site: A Division League Transfer: Bishwas Shrestha To Lead Himalayan Sherpa Club . Goal Nepal . 23 July 2021 . 23 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210723104518/https://goalnepal.com/province_3/news/11354 . live .
- Web site: प्रवेश नै मछिन्द्रको मुख्य प्रशिक्षक. 2021-08-12. Hamro Khelkud. 12 August 2021 . en-US. 2021-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20210812182955/https://www.hamrokhelkud.com/football/94123.html. live.
- Web site: Machhindra begin title defense with 2-1 win over NRT . All Nepal Football Association . 23 November 2021 . 22 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211122161842/https://the-anfa.com/news-detail/1350 . live .
- Web site: A Division League Transfer: NRT Scoops Messouke & Stephane Samir . Goal Nepal . 3 July 2021 . 9 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182936/https://goalnepal.com/news/detail/11275 . live .
- Web site: Himalayan Bank Signs A Sponsorship Deal With Sankata Club . Goal Nepal . 6 January 2022 . 6 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220106121607/https://goalnepal.com/province_3/news/12484 . live .
- Web site: खेलाडी अनुबन्धनमा सातदोबाटो आक्रामक. 2021-08-01. Hamro Khelkud. August 2021 . en-US. 2021-08-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20210801162044/https://www.hamrokhelkud.com/football/93479.html. live.
- Web site: श्रेष्ठ थ्री स्टारको मुख्य प्रशिक्षक. 2021-08-03. Hamro Khelkud. 3 August 2021 . en-US. 2021-08-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20210803151243/https://www.hamrokhelkud.com/football/93586.html. live.
- Web site: विक्रमको थ्री स्टार बसाइँ १२ औं वर्षमा. 2021-08-12. Hamro Khelkud. 12 August 2021 . en-US. 2021-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20210812182955/https://www.hamrokhelkud.com/football/94107.html. live.
- Web site: Qatar Airways A Division League: ANFA Applies 3+1 Rule For Foreign Players . https://web.archive.org/web/20200812180036/https://goalnepal.com/news/detail/8154 . 12 August 2020 . Goal Nepal . 20 November 2021 . 12 December 2019.
- Web site: Humagain . Subash . APF's Japanese goalkeeper Yuya Kuriyama is the first foreign player to play for a departmental team . Hamro Khelkud . 1 January 2022 . 20 December 2021 . 8 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308091025/https://www.hamrokhelkud.com/en/apfs-japanese-goalkeeper-is-the-first-foreign-player-to-play-for-a-departmental-team/ . live .
- Web site: स्वास्थ्य मापदण्डसहित लिगको लागि बिबिसी तयार. 2021-08-02. Hamro Khelkud. 24 July 2021 . en-US. 2021-08-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20210802202854/https://www.hamrokhelkud.com/football/93001.html. live.
- Web site: Khukuri Brigade Boys Club (BBC) Confirms Signing Of Indian Goalkeeper. 30 December 2021. 2 January 2022. goalnepal.com. Goal Nepal. https://web.archive.org/web/20220102114942/https://goalnepal.com/news/detail/12420. 2 January 2022.
- Web site: इटालीको यू-१६ राष्ट्रिय टिमबाट खेलिसकेका विकास मेराग्लिया च्यासल युथ क्लबमा आबद्ध . Setopati . 1 October 2023 . Nepali.
- Web site: A Division League: Chyasal Youth Club Adds Indian Player In Its Rooster. Goal Nepal. 20 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211120121401/https://goalnepal.com/news/detail/12071. 20 November 2021. live.
- Web site: Nepal first division club Chyasal Youth Club have secured the service of twenty six year old versatile Indian midfielder Shem Marton Eugene. Twitter. 10 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211110162606/https://mobile.twitter.com/ansonjaison_3/status/1457686729637306371. 10 November 2021. live.
- Web site: Transfer news: Trini Jomoul Francois signs in Nepal . Inside Caribbean Football . 1 August 2023.
- Web site: Friends draw with Satdobato as A Division League begins. All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). 19 November 2021. 20 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211120124709/https://the-anfa.com/news-detail/1343. 20 November 2021. live.
- Web site: Himalayan Sherpa Club Signs Defender Ulrich Siwe . Goal Nepal . 3 July 2021 . 9 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190905/https://goalnepal.com/news/detail/11245 . live .
- Web site: この度私事ではございますが、現役復帰する決断をしましたのでご報告させていただきます。 . Instagram . 1 August 2023 . Japanese . 17 November 2021.
- Himalayan Sherpas aim to produce 'surprise' results
- Web site: A Division League Transfer: Jawalakhel Youth Club Snaps ARAS MF Njimi . Goal Nepal . 3 July 2021 . 9 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183411/https://goalnepal.com/province_3/news/11274 . live .
- Web site: Jawalakhel Youth Club Signs Defender Florent Koara . Goal Nepal . 1 November 2023 . 6 September 2021.
- Web site: MMC, Brigade pull off struggling wins. Kathmandu Post. 22 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211122124846/https://kathmandupost.com/football/2021/11/22/mmc-brigade-pull-off-struggling-wins. 22 November 2021. live.
- Web site: Machhindra Club Brings In Two Players From Azerbaijan . Goal Nepal . 28 October 2021.
- Web site: Machindra selected in AFC Cup. himalsanchar.com. Himal Sanchar. 18 December 2021. 10 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220110162556/https://himalsanchar.com/machindra-selected-in-afc-cup/. 10 January 2022.
- Web site: MMC Continues With Dayananda Singh From Manipur. 12 November 2021. Goal Nepal. 12 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211112075220/https://goalnepal.com/news/detail/11998. live.
- Web site: Sankata Club Announces Squad For Upcoming League Season. Goal Nepal. 12 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211112140533/https://goalnepal.com/province_3/news/12018. 12 November 2021. live.
- Web site: पिटरलाई भित्र्याउँदै सातदोबाटोको लिग तयारी सुरु. 2021-06-30. Hamro Khelkud. 30 June 2021 . en-US. 2021-07-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181606/https://www.hamrokhelkud.com/football/91736.html. live.
- Web site: Three Star Club Signs Defensive MF Raphael Rim. 2021-08-14. GoalNepal. 2021-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20210814142024/https://goalnepal.com/news/detail/11479. live.
- Web site: GK Yves Priso Extends Contract With Three Star Club . Goal Nepal . 3 November 2023 . 22 October 2021.
- Web site: Three Star Club starting XI with newly signed Shem Marton. m.facebook.com. Three Star Club official. 20 December 2021. 20 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211220180213/https://m.facebook.com/login.php?next=https%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2Fstory.php%3Fstory_fbid%3D5380413161986493%26id%3D201107733250421&refsrc=deprecated&_rdr.
- Web site: Lalrammawia from India has extended his contract with Three Star Club as SAARC Player for this season's A-Division League.. Facebook. 2022-02-03. 2022-04-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20220416092403/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FFootballxPhilosophers%2Fphotos%2Fa.101881822049509%2F225613249676365. live.
- Web site: Manang Marsyangdi Club to play league matches in Pokhara . All Nepal Football Association . 2021-12-13 . 2021-12-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211213155433/https://the-anfa.com/news-detail/1368 . live .
- Web site: Fixtures of remaining rounds of league released . All Nepal Football Association . 8 February 2022 . 8 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220208124522/https://the-anfa.com/news-detail/1439 . live .
- Web site: Martyr's Memorial A-Division League 2078. 2022-01-06. Hamrokhelkud. 19 December 2021 . en-US. 2022-01-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20220106200729/https://www.hamrokhelkud.com/en/competition/1824/. live.
- Web site: Satdobato pile more misery on APF with thumping 4-1 win. 2021-12-03. the-anfa.com. en. 2021-12-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20211203165700/https://the-anfa.com/news-detail/1354. live.
- Web site: Manang Marshyangdi Club 5 vs 0 Chyasal Youth Club - Martyrs Memorial A Division League (2021/22) – 2078 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League - 2022-01-08. 2022-01-09. Hamrokhelkud. 22 December 2021 . en-US. 2022-01-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20220109170109/https://www.hamrokhelkud.com/en/match/manang-marshyangdi-club-chyasal-youth-club-2022-01-08/. live.
- Web site: ANFA Army finish second, NRT third . 2022-02-26 . the-anfa.com . en . 2022-02-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220226102833/https://the-anfa.com/news-detail/1469 . live .
- Web site: ANFA Sunil Bal Player of the Tournament, Satdobato Fair Play team . 2022-03-02 . the-anfa.com . en . 2022-03-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220302195642/https://the-anfa.com/news-detail/1472 . live .
- Web site: ANFA signs broadcasting agreement with Kantipur Television for A Division League. All Nepal Football Association. 12 November 2021. 11 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211111065230/https://the-anfa.com/news-detail/1334. live.
- Web site: Live on ANFA TV Channel in MyCujoo. Griezman Shrestha . 20 November 2021.