ANFA National League: Laliguras Stumble Again as Machhindra and Church Boys Surge
KATHMANDU – The race for the ANFA National League title took another dramatic turn on Sunday at Dasharath Stadium. Frontrunners Laliguras Association dropped points for the second consecutive match. This allowed the chasing pack to close the gap in a triple-header that shifted the top-tier standings. **The Opening Act: Cantillana’s Brace Lifts Machhindra** The day’s action kicked off at 10:00 AM. Machhindra Football Club delivered a professional 2-0 victory over Jawalakhel Youth Club. The protagonist of the match was Jonathan Cantillana, whose clinical double proved too much for the Jawalakhel defence to handle. With this result, Machhindra momentarily climbed to third in the league standings but ultimately settled in fourth place with 19 points from eight matches. For Jawalakhel, the loss dealt a significant blow to their bid for a mid-table finish, as they remain ninth on 9 points—missing a chance to surpass their closest competitors in the standings. **The Stalemate: Laliguras Lose Their Grip** In the afternoon kickoff, the league’s narrative shifted toward a battle of frustration. Laliguras Association was looking to reclaim the summit but was frustrated by a resilient Sankata FC in a goalless draw. This marks the second straight game where Laliguras has shared the spoils, following their 1-1 draw against Friends Club. The dropped points mean Laliguras stays in second place with 19 points from nine games, one point behind the league leaders. Sankata, with the clean sheet, moves to 10 points and remains eighth in the standings.  **The Closer: Dika’s Decider Steers Church Boys Home** The final match of the day saw Church Boys United grind out a gritty 1-0 win over Satdobato Youth Club. In a game of slim margins, Serge Dika emerged as the hero. He scored the decisive goal that secured all three points. The victory was massive for Church Boys, who leapfrogged Machhindra on goal difference to move into third place. They now sit comfortably in the upper echelons of the table. Conversely, the pressure continues to mount on Satdobato, who remain in the relegation conversation, sitting third from bottom in 11th place with just 6 points from seven outings. **Looking Ahead: Monday’s Triple-Header** The league is not slowing down, with more games at Dasharath Stadium tomorrow: **Game 1**: Friends Club vs Shree Bhagawati Club (The fight for a safe spot in the middle) **Game 2**: Leaders APF FC vs Planning Boys United (A big test for the top team) **Game 3**: The "Departmental Derby" – Nepal Police Club vs Tribhuvan Army Club
