Lumbini Lions’ remarkable revival from last place to playoff contenders

KATHMANDU, Dec 6: A single match held four teams in suspense on Friday: the clash between Lumbini Lions and defending champions Janakpur Bolts in the Nepal Premier League (NPL). By Thursday, three of the four playoff spots in the second NPL season had been secured. The final berth, however, depended entirely on how Lumbini fared. A defeat for Lumbini would have pushed the playoff race to the league’s final day, keeping Pokhara Avengers and Chitwan Rhinos mathematically alive. Janakpur, too, stepped onto the field determined to win and deny Lumbini a historic playoff entry.