Kathmandu Kickers Fall to Freedom Fighters but Keep Hopes Alive for Next Round
Kathmandu Kickers played their final group stage match against Freedom Fighters and suffered a tough 1-4 defeat. The loss means the Kickers now face very slim chances of progressing to the next round, but the hope is still alive. For Kathmandu Kickers to advance, FC Reale must defeat Freedom Fighters in the last group fixture.
The match itself began in unusual circumstances. Due to a conflict in the earlier game, the kick-off was delayed by around 30 minutes. As a result, the latter part of the second half had to be played in fading light, and the last few minutes were played in almost total darkness. However, the Kickers made no excuses; Freedom Fighters were the better side on the day, yet Kathmandu Kickers were not far behind in effort and competitiveness.
Coming into this decisive match, Kathmandu Kickers were full of confidence after a commanding 4-0 victory over FC Reale in their opening game. That result had given them a promising position in the group, but football can be unpredictable, and the second match brought a different challenge.
Freedom Fighters started strongly and capitalised on their chances effectively. Despite the Kickers fighting hard and pushing throughout the match, the opponents maintained their advantage and secured all three points. Kathmandu Kickers still managed to score one goal through Ingla Hang Limbu’s spectacular goal.
While the group stage ends on a disappointing note, Kathmandu Kickers remain hopeful. The team will now closely follow the result of FC Reale vs Freedom Fighters, knowing that a win for FC Reale could still send them into the next round.
