Koshi's 4-0 win over Waling marks ANFA Women's League's opening

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept. 2: Entering the ANFA Women's League-2081 after topping the qualifiers, Koshi Province has started the league campaign with a massive win alongside keeping a clean sheet against Waling Municipality. Koshi defeated Waling by 4-0 at ANFA Complex in Satdobato, Lalitpur.

Koshi alongside Sudurpashchim and Karnali were the teams to progress to the League from the qualifiers held in April-May in Surkhet. Playing on the artificial turf for the first time, Koshi and Waling players struggled from the beginning as it was raining. Moreover, as the players of both teams had not trained enough together for the League, there were several miscommunications and incomplete passes. 

Nevertheless, Sanju Maya Tamang, Koshi's No. 10, opened the account for the province in the 10th minute over an assist by Purnima Rai. Rai passed the ball back towards the penalty box from near the line for Tamang to score one of the easiest goals in her career.

After the first goal, Koshi tried decreasing its pressure and focused on possession. And Neha Kumari Chaudhary and her defending teammates kept Waling's forwards in check.  Thus, the first half ended 1-0 with Koshi not trying to score and Waling failing to equalise.

The slow game in the majority of the first half had led the viewers to not expect more goals in the second half. But Koshi scored three goals in the second half.

Samiksha Magar extended the lead to three goals after scoring two in the span of less than 10 minutes. From just outside the 'D', Samiksha shot straight and Waling's goalie Radhika Oli, with a mistimed jump, could not prevent the goal in the 51st minute. 

The second goal by Samiksha was a header in the 59th minute. Reaching to a poor pass by captain Simran Rai and getting her head after the ball bounced left Radhika, who came forward, with no choice.

It was Pratiksha Rai who scored the final goal of the match. Pratiksha aimed for a cross inside the box in the 68th minute from the right flank. However, the ball went towards the goal post and a poor judgement from the goalie led the ball to reach the back of the net with ease. "We are extremely happy after the win in our first match. This will motivate us. We will improve our matches as it was our first time playing on artificial turf," said Koshi's captain Simran.

Regarding the injury of Koshi's Jhuma Bishwakarma, Koshi's coach Shyam Manandhar shared that she might get fit for the next match.

Both the teams could not field their foreign players today as they had not completed the registration process. Koshi has three Indian players from West Bengal, India, while Waling has brought three players from Uganda. The foreign players will be fielded in the next match, informed coaches of both teams.

Sudurpashchim Province and Bagmati Youth Club are playing in the second match of the League on Monday.