Tired Police lose 6-0 to tough APF in departmental derby

Kathmandu, Jan. 10:The second departmental derby of the ANFA Women’s League 2024 Final Round saw an unexpected margin in the goals when defending champion APF bested Nepal Police Club (NPC) on Thursday. APF scored six goals past NPC while keeping a clean sheet at the ANFA Complex Ground in Satdobato, Lalitpur.

In the first departmental derby of the Final Round, NPC and Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) played a goalless draw on January 5. Thus, NPC was upset when they lost by 6-0 in the second derby on January 9.

“We were not expecting so many goals. But our team lost to fatigue as the players did not get the chance to recover and rest. It was our fourth game in a week,” said Bhola Nath Silwal, head coach of NPC.

NPC had conceded only two goals in the first half. Anita Basnet opened the goal account in the 11th minute. “I was not aiming for the goal. I was trying to pass inside the box,” said Basnet in the post-match conference.

While her first goal was an unprecedented one, she completed her hat-trick, her first in a departmental derby, scoring the last two goals in the final minutes. With four minutes of injury time added in the end, Basnet completed her hat-trick with two goals in a minute (90+3 and 90+4 minutes).

“My last hat-trick came in 2021. I am happy for this moment and I want to dedicate it to my team,” Basnet said.

Expressing happiness over the team's performance, APF’s head coach Jibesh Kumar Pandey said that the players coordinated well on the ground.

“From the goalkeeper, the ball reached our strikers with proper coordination between defence and midfield. All players followed the plan. A win against a departmental team feels great as they provide a good competition,” said coach Pandey.

Nevertheless, coach Pandey stressed that NPC was having a difficult time with not enough resting periods. “After a game, the next day is a rest day and training resumes a day later. But now, there is no day for rest,” he added.

NPC’s coach Silwal also hinted the lack of time to rest for players was the reason his players could not press enough. 

“We have some major players injured; we do not have a good striker as well. We are playing one game after the other. As a result, a tired NPC conceded four goals in quick succession at the end,” said Silwal.

APF led by 2-0 with a goal by Renuka Nagarkote in the 37th minute. NPC also created some chances but could not capitalise. But while defending well, NPC lost the momentum in the final five minutes. 

APF speared through the centre region to score four goals after 85 minutes on the clock. Before the braces from Basnet in the end, Saru Limbu scored two consecutive goals in a minute (86th and 87th minutes). Limbu was the player of the match for her overall performance.

Machhindra U16 wins

In another context, Machhindra FC emerged victorious in the first game at ANFA Complex on Thursday Machhindra defeate Khumaltar by 2-0 in the 11th game of the ANFA U-16 League.

A game that was goalless until the 80s was turned by Machhindra. Himal Tamang (82nd) and Saugat Kumar Bomjan (84th) scored in two minutes for Machhindra; it was Machhindra’s second win in two games.

Meanwhile, Sankata FC and Friends Club Kupondole played a tie with both sides not scoring.