Pokhara Thunders FC vs FC Chitwan:Must win match for both

Pokhara Thunders FC face  FC  Chitwan  in what will be a clash of  the two bottom-placed teams in the Nepal Super League  at Dashrath  stadium  in Kathmandu Friday.

Now it is clear that  four teams are battling for the  two remaining playoff spots. Dhangadi F C and Kathmandu Rayzrs FC are already  through to the playoffs.

Pokhara Thunders with 5 points are second from the bottom, while FC Chitwan  are at the bottom with 2 points. 

It  is a must win game for both sides.A goalless draw will not help either side, and the losing team exits from the competition. 

This match  does have some relevancy and significance.As things stand,it is too early to say whether the  final outcome of the match will have any bearing or not  on  the current standings.

 

It would be fair to say that both sides are on the brink of elimination, and their playoff hopes hinge on the outcome of Friday and Saturday matches.

Looking at Pokhara Thunders playoff chances,firstly they  must defeat FC Chitwan by a  healthy margin. And the match between Biratnagar City FC and Lalitpur City FC  has to end in a goalless draw. Lastly, Dhangadhi FC must  either defeat  or draw Butwal Lumbini.

Same applies to FC Chitwan who have two matches in hand.The challenge for them  is even bigger, and they play the final match against Kathmandu Rayzrs. 

Given their mediocrity and streak of poor performance, it is a tall order for them.I don’t fancy their chances.

We cannot completely rule out the aforementioned possibilities because strange things have happened in football.After all the game of football is full of uncertainties.

Taking that into consideration,Pokhara Thunders  must play  with focus,intent and passion to end the tournament on a winning note.

Understandably,it has been a  very frustrating and disappointing tournament for the Pokhara outfit  performance and results wise.

 

They have  been  a struggling lot  hit hard by sloppiness, complacency and inconsistency.To add, they  lack a winning combination and confidence in their performance to turn things around.

Against FC Chitwan they have to  go out with a dominant mindset and play an all out attacking football to  seize control of the proceedings. 

They have to keep in mind  that they will need to score as many goals as possible to keep their slim hopes alive.

 

The way they have struggled for form, it is by no means an easy task getting quick goalsThey must make every attempt to turn it around.

What they require is a vastly improved performance, including finishing and scoring ability. If they peak form,the target is achievable.

FC  Chitwan’s overall performance has been noticeably poor.They have underperformed and mightily struggled offensively and defensively.

The math  is simple, they have to win their remaining two matches handsomely to give themselves a remote chance to make the playoffs.

It will be a Herculean task for them to get it done. They will need an extraordinary  collective  and individual effort against two relatively tough opponents Pokhara Thunders and Kathmandu Rayzrs.

The situation in which they are, their only option is to play a high press game throughout the match. They must go all out  to achieve improbable success.Should they succeed, it will be a fascinating comeback story. 

Perhaps we are in for a big surprise. In my book Pokhara  Thunders  are  favorites  against FC  Chitwan.