The Martyr's Memorial A Division League season is heating up, with battles brewing at the top and bottom of the standings. The table at the top is taking on a new shape thanks to the qualification berth for the AFC Cup qualification stage. With only one spot available, the team at the top of the standings at the end of match-week seven will have the opportunity to compete in the prestigious continental cup qualifiers.

APF vs NRT

APF Football Club will play New Road Team in the first match of the week. Both teams have yet to establish themselves in the competition and will be looking to do so as the tournament nears its business end. NRT has only lost one game so far, but has drawn three and won one, keeping them in seventh place in the league table. Last week, APF won their first game of the season against Friends and stay 11th.

Police vs Friends

In the second match, Nepal Police Club and Friends Club will face off. Friends are the only team in the competition that has yet to win a game, and they are currently ranked last in the league table with only two points. Police have also had a shaky start, sitting in 10th place on the table with five points from five games. Friends would be ecstatic to win their first game and climb out of the abyss.

Himalayan Sherpa vs Chyasal

The season for Chyasal Youth Club, the high spenders, has not been as exciting as the club had hoped. They are currently in the relegation zone alongside Friends, with just one win in their bag and four points, and will be hoping to get their star-studded team in full swing and register another win to stay out of the relegation battle when they face Himalayan Sherpa Club in their first match on Saturday.

The big one; Manang vs Machhindra

Machhindra’s latest draw have left them at second place with Manang solely at the top on 13 points. Machhindra have gathered 11 points from a possible 15. And the best part of this mini-race is that these two will square off against each other this upcoming match-week. Machhindra would be looking to defeat the league leaders and climb to the top spot and one-up Manang in the mini race for the AFC Cup qualification. WIth Anjan Bista back in goals, Manang would not be a walk in the park for Machhindra as Manang would also be looking to run away from any challenges for the berth for the continental championship. 

Sankata vs Brigade Boys

Sankata Club have been a real revelation of the league so far. Undefeated and flying high, the capital outfit are currently third in the standings with two wins and three draws from five matches. Bishnu Gurung’s side will face Brigade Boys Club who are coming off a lackluster performance in their defeat to Himalayan Sherpa last week. Himalayan Sherpa are currently eighth on the table, with a point advantage over Chyasal.

Stars vs Army

Another big matchup on this week's schedule is Three Star Club vs. Tribhuvan Army FC. Army is currently tied for third place on the table with Sankata on points with no losses so far in the competition. The Stars, on the other hand, have drawn three of their five games so far and are currently in sixth place with six points.

Satdobato vs Jawalakhel

On Monday, the match between Satdobato Youth Club and Jawalakhel Youth Club will conclude match-week six. The first-timers, Satdobato, have eight points and are currently fifth in the table. Meghraj KC has put up a good fight with his team and will be looking to get all three points against Jawalakhel, who scored their first goal of the season last week in their win over Chyasal. Jawalakhel are currently in 12th place, just clear of the drop zone.

The upcoming round of matches, which begins tomorrow, is sure to be a feast for football fans, with two huge matches between the big guns and the race for AFC Cup qualification on the line.