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Barcelona Clinch 28th La Liga Title , Derby Triumph in Espanyol

Kathmandu – FC Barcelona have officially secured their 28th La Liga title in style, wrapping up the championship with two matches still left to play, following a commanding 2-0 victory over city rivals Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Thursday night. The decisive win lifts Barça to 85 points from 36 matches — a lead of seven over second-placed Real Madrid — making it mathematically impossible for Los Blancos to catch them in the remaining fixtures. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, finishing a precise pass from Dani Olmo to give the visitors a deserved lead in a tightly contested Catalan derby. The night worsened for Espanyol in the 80th minute when defender Leandro Cabrera was shown a straight red card, leaving the hosts a man down in the final stretch of the match. Barcelona capitalized on the numerical advantage, and Firmin López doubled the lead in stoppage time, coolly slotting home a pinpoint assist from Yamal to put the result beyond doubt.![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/EW9QzsX23x0iw5wRaWFPsLUFkC5PxrOYws2nTPYq.jpg) While the result crowned Barcelona champions, it deepened Espanyol's woes, leaving them 16th on the table with 39 points from 36 games—still teetering close to the relegation zone. This La Liga title marks the third domestic trophy of a dominant season for the Blaugrana, which has already clinched the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey. It's a statement campaign under manager Hansi Flick, whose vision and blend of youth and experience have brought silverware back to Camp Nou. The night belonged to Barcelona — a triumphant return to league dominance, driven by a new generation rising to the occasion.

Football

Planning Boys United Secure Historic Promotion to 'A' Division with Two Games to Spare

Kathmandu — In a landmark moment for the club, Planning Boys United have secured promotion to the Martyrs' Memorial 'A' Division League for the first time in their history, clinching the feat with a clinical 2-0 win over Bansbari Club on Tuesday at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato. The victory, their ninth in 11 outings, sees Planning Boys soar to 27 points—an unassailable tally that guarantees them at least a top-two finish, regardless of results in their remaining two fixtures. Their meteoric rise has been one of the standout stories of this year's 'B' Division campaign. In Tuesday's contest, Planning Boys broke the deadlock shortly after the restart when Bansbari's Sandeep Raut inadvertently turned the ball into his net in the 47th minute. This gave Planning the lead under fortunate but deserved circumstances.![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/Kpu4cgKlwIZvnIVqpGAgKJRzyr0SO42oRp8XQ6e7.jpg) Midfielder Pujan Thapa then sealed the three points in the 81st minute with a well-taken strike, ensuring the team's dream of top-tier football becomes a reality. The defeat proved costly for Bansbari. They now sit seventh in the standings with 15 points from 11 matches, and their promotion hopes have been extinguished as the league enters its final phase. It's a moment of triumph and validation for Planning Boys United—a team that has steadily built momentum throughout the season and now prepares to step onto Nepalese football's grandest domestic stage. ![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/AbSSgM5cfAz99h5Gt2ViKnPbVPIugEH7CJqH5gSt.jpg)

Football

APF Club Crowned Champions of Inaugural Lumbini Cup

The Armed Police Force (APF fc) clinched the title of the inaugural Lumbini Cup International Invitational Women's Football Tournament with a dramatic 1-0 victory over rivals Nepal Police Club in Friday's final at Nepalgunj Stadium Banke. In a tightly contested match between two of Nepal's top departmental sides, APF's Geeta Rana rose to the occasion—literally—with a towering header deep into stoppage time, sealing the win in injury time and breaking Police hearts. With the win, APF not only lifted their third consecutive Mofusal tournament trophy of this season and the first trophy of 2082—having already won the Ilam and Chitwan Gold Cups—but also reinforced their status as a dominant force in Nepali women's football. The team, featuring a core of national team players, had claimed the women's league title. As champions of the eight-team tournament, APF walked away with a cash prize of Rs 505,555, while runners-up Nepal Police Club received Rs 250,000 and the trophy and medals. APF's road to the final began in pool B, where they thrashed Karnali Province 6-0 before overcoming Rautahat 3-0 in the semifinals. Nepal Police, on the other hand, cruised past India's Siliguri FC 4-0 in their opener and edged out Tribhuvan Army Club in a dramatic sudden-death penalty shootout in the last four. The first edition of the Lumbini Cup featured a diverse field, including the host side Banke-11, Sudurpaschim Province FA, and district-level associations, along with international entrants like Siliguri FC of India.

Cricket

Football

Nepal Edge UAE via DLS to Open ICC U-19 World Cup Asia Qualifiers with Victory

Nepal kicked off their ICC U-19 World Cup Asia Qualifiers campaign on a winning note, defeating the United Arab Emirates by five runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in a rain-affected thriller at the Mulpani Cricket Ground on Sunday. Chasing a target of 201 in a match reduced to 40 overs per side due to a wet outfield, UAE was well-positioned at 171 for 7 in 36 overs when fading light and rain forced an abrupt halt to proceedings. With no further play possible, Nepal were declared winners under the DLS method, securing two crucial points to begin their qualifying run. Despite the loss, UAE's Yayin Kiran Rai delivered a standout performance, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 104 off 96 balls — his knock featuring eight boundaries and five sixes. However, his valiant effort lacked adequate support from the rest of the batting lineup, with Mohammad Ryan Khan contributing 35 and Karan Dhiman adding 15 as the only other batters to reach double figures. Nepal's bowling attack kept the pressure on throughout the innings. Ashok Dhami and Santosh Kumar Yadav led the way with two wickets each, while Abhishek Tiwari and captain Naren Bhatta chipped in with one apiece.![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/SyzS9mvXqhuk04Of6s1kPjC5WPWDeHiNE6lbxytw.jpg) After being put into bat, Nepal posted a competitive 200 for 9 from their allotted 40 overs. Skipper Naren Bhatta played a captain's knock, scoring a composed 67 off 75 deliveries laced with seven fours. Dilsad Ali (34), Shahil Patel (32), and Neeraj Kumar Yadav (18) provided valuable contributions in the middle, while Santosh Yadav (11) and Ashok Dhami (10*) helped push the total beyond the 200-mark. UAE's bowling unit put in a disciplined shift, with Yudish Suri claiming three wickets. Yug Sharma and Shalom D'Souza picked up two apiece, while Ali Asgar Shams and Karan Dhiman took one each. With the win, Nepal have taken an early step toward qualification, showing composure in a high-pressure opening clash. They'll look to carry this momentum into their next fixture as the race to secure a spot in the 2024 ICC U-19 World Cup intensifies.

Football

Nepal Clinch Second Straight Win in T20I Series with Commanding Chase Over Kuwait

Kathmandu — Nepal continued their momentum in the ongoing four-nation Twenty20 International series, registering a convincing six-wicket victory over Kuwait on Thursday at the Mission Road Ground in Hong Kong. Chasing a competitive target of 186, Nepal made light work of the total, reaching 187 for 4 in 18.5 overs to notch their second win in as many matches as possible. The result puts Nepal atop the points table with four points from two games following their opening victory over Qatar. Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Asif Sheikh laid the foundation for the successful chase with a commanding 127-run stand. Bhurtel led the charge with a fluent 80 off 50 deliveries, hammering six fours and a six, while Sheikh anchored the innings with a composed 53 from 38 balls, featuring four sixes and two boundaries. Dipendra Singh Airee provided the finishing touches with a quick 31.![](https://bootballer.com/storage/media/posts/yGyokYxqqh0OsqVWZbEuFqd2x1A7iE7rPUBLPvhw.jpg) Kuwait's bowlers struggled to contain the Nepali top order. Yasin Patel claimed two wickets, while Mohammad Shafiq and skipper Mohammad Aslam each picked up one. Earlier, Kuwait posted a competitive 185 for 7 after being sent into bat. Clint Anto top-scored with a brisk 41, followed by handy contributions from Meet Bhavsar (35), Bilal Tahir (32), and Ravija Sandaruwan (26). Anto and Bhavsar added 54 runs for the second wicket to steady the innings after an early loss. Nepal's bowlers made a collective effort, led by veteran pacer Sompal Kami, who claimed 3 for 34. Youngster Nandan Yadav impressed with 2 wickets, while Lalit Rajbanshi and Bhurtel chipped in with a wicket each. Nepal will look to maintain its unbeaten run when it faces hosts Hong Kong in its next group match. A place in the final is well within reach.

Football

CAN Announces 28-Member Squad for Closed Training

KATHMANDU—The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has shortlisted 28 players for closed training in preparation for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers, which will take place in Thailand this May. As per CAN's announcement, the closed training camp will commence on Tuesday, with national team captain Indu Barma leading the squad. The selection features experience, young talent, and several emerging prospects, including seasoned campaigners Rubina Chhetri, Sita Rana Magar, Bindu Rawal, and Kabita Kunwar. **Players Called for Closed Training:** Indu Barma (Captain), Rubina Chhetri, Bindu Rawal, Sita Rana Magar, Samjhana Khadka, Alisha Kumari Yadav, Sana Prabin, Rajmati Airee, Roma Thapa, Kabita Kunwar, Ishwori Bista, Pooja Mahato, Kajal Shrestha, Kabita Joshi, Manisha Upadhyay, Sabnam Rai, Seemana KC, Rachna Kumari Chaudhary, Riya Sharma, Ruby Podar, Yashoda Bista, Anu Kadayat, Manisha Bohara, Laxmi Saud, Helisha Gurung, Somu Bista, Sangita Rai, Alisha Khadiya. With the qualifiers just a few months away, Nepal's women's team will be looking to fine-tune their preparations and build momentum to pursue a spot in the global event.

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