Tripureshwar, Nepal: In a Saturday showdown at Dasharath Stadium, FC Chitwan and Sporting Ilam FC De Mechi engaged in a goalless stalemate, leaving both teams precariously perched on the edge of playoff oblivion in the second edition of the Nepal Super League (NSL).

The result sees Chitwan clinging to seventh place with six points from seven games, while Ilam languishes at the bottom of the table with a mere five points from as many matches. For both sides, the playoff dreams are flickering like a dying ember.

Despite many opportunities, neither team could find the crucial breakthrough on the hallowed turf of Tripureshwar. Rafiq Aminu of Chitwan saw his 61st-minute strike chalked off for a Chiring Gurung foul moments earlier, plunging the Chitwan faithful into despair.

The drama escalated further as Bishal Shrestha emerged as the protagonist. In the ensuing minute, his acrobatic dive denied Fode Kamara’s header, resulting from a pinpoint Amath Ndaw cross.

Chitwan continued to press, Aminu whipping in a dangerous cross in the 77th minute that Bimal Gharti Magar desperately deflected for Eelam. The tides then turned as Dipesh Ale’s header from Naveen Lama’s cross narrowly missed the mark for Ilam four minutes later.

The tension reached fever pitch as Bimal Gharti Magar’s free-kick was met with a solid save by Ilam custodian Samit Shrestha in the 85th minute. The drama peaked when Ndaw, already on a yellow card, was dismissed for a second booking in injury time, reducing Ilam to ten men.

With both teams desperately scrapping for points, the draw represents a missed opportunity for both sides. Chitwan and Eelam are left to contemplate what could have been, their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, thinner than the mountain air of Tripureshwar.