The fifth round of the Martyr's Memorial A Division League has concluded. Manang Marsyangdi Club leads the table after five rounds of matches, with 13 points out of a possible 15. With 11 points, Machhindra FC is in second place, while Tribhuvan Army FC and Sankata Club are tied for third place with nine points each.

Round five was every bit as intense and competitive as everyone had hoped. Satdobato Youth Club and Tribhuvan Army Club began the round with a draw. They drew 1-1. Satdobato's Martins Ajayi continued his goal-scoring spree, while Army's Dinesh Henjan scored.

Meanwhile, Machhindra were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Sankata Club. The defending champions are in contention for an AFC Cup berth, which will be awarded to the club with the best record at the end of the seventh round of matches.

Manang Marsyangdi Club, Machhindra's direct title rivals, defeated Nepal Police Club 3-1 in a historic match in Nepal's A Division League history. In Nepali football history, the match at the Pokhara Stadium was the first A Division League match played outside of the Kathmandu valley. Manang's talismanic Nepali forward Anjan Bista scored twice in the win. Manang would be ecstatic to have their main man in goals for the next two rounds of matches for AFC Cup qualification, with Machhindra waiting in the wings.

On the second day of round five, relegation contenders Chyasal and Jawalakhel faced off. And thanks to a goal from Indian Nicholas Fernandes, Jawalakhel won the match 1-0 to earn their first victory of the season. Jawalakhel scored his first goal of the season.

The stars, on the other hand, aren't aligning well for The Stars, Three Star Club, who have left with only a single point against the New Road Team. They are still in sixth place in the table, with no chance of qualifying for the AFC Cup. NRT and Stars are tied on six points. Himalayan Sherpa Club scored their first goal of the season against Brigade Boys Club in a scintillating and dominating display of football. They came out on top 3-1.

The round of matches wrapped up with the battle of the bottom two, Friends Club and Armed Police Force FC where the departmental side came out on top. APF dominated Friends in a comfortable 3-1 win and climbed out of the relegation zone with their first win of the campaign. Friends Club are the only team with no wins at the end of round five.

The emergence of a qualification berth for the AFC Cup at the end of seven rounds of matches has given the race at the top a brilliant checkpoint to stop at. The next rounds of matches are shaping up to be really nailbiting with the battle at the top and bottom, both heating up.