2021–22 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League
The 2021–22 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League (Nepali: शहीद स्मारक ए डिभिजन लिग २०७८), also known as the Qatar Airways Martyr's Memorial A-Division League for sponsorship reasons,[4] was the 44th edition of the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League since its establishment in 1954-55. A total of 14 teams competed in the league. Machhindra F.C. were the defending champions.[5] Due to time constraints, i.e. the league finishing after the qualification cut-off, instead of the league winner, the All Nepal Football Association decided that the top team after matchday 7, Machhindra F.C., would represent the league in the 2022 AFC Cup preliminary round 1.[6] The league was scheduled to begin on 19 September 2021[7] but the date was pushed back to 15 November 2021 after multiple participating clubs demanded to postpone the league start due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal.[8] It was finally scheduled to be played from 19 November and matches were to be played only on weekends as opposed to being played throughout the week as had been the case during the previous seasons.[1] On 16 February 2022, after matchday 11, Machhindra F.C. were crowned as league winners for the second consecutive time.[9] TeamsA total of 14 teams, all based in the Kathmandu Valley, contested the league with a relegation system. Thirteen teams from the 2019–20 season and one team promoted from the B-Division participated in the league. Satdobato Youth Club, who debuted in the A-Division league, replaced Saraswoti Youth Club who were relegated after five seasons in the league. Prior to the season, Nepal Army Club reverted their name back to Tribhuvan Army F.C.,[10] a name that the team had used until the 2010 season. Location
Personnel and kitsForeign playersAll Nepal Football Association allowed every team a maximum of four foreign players, including one from a SAARC-affiliated country.[22] For the first time, one of the departmental teams, APF Club, signed foreign players.[23] VenuesThe league was scheduled to be played centrally in two venues in two cities in the Kathmandu Valley.[4] Initially, ANFA Complex was chosen to be the third venue in the Valley.[citation needed] Selected matches of Manang Marsyangdi Club were held in Pokhara to honour the club's origins, making it the first season with matches outside of the Kathmandu Valley.[46] From matchday 13 onwards, ANFA Complex was reintroduced as a venue.[47]
League table
Source: HamroKhelkud Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) head-to-head. (C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated Notes:
ResultsPositions by round
Source: ANFA
Season statisticsScoringTop goalscorersAs of 26 February 2022
Hat-tricks
Clean sheets
AwardsEnd-of-season awards
Broadcast rightsSelected matches were broadcast live on Kantipur Television.[54] All matches were also streamed live on Eleven Sports.[55] Notes
References
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