SIMARA, July 24: Physically superior Nepal Army Club entered the semifinals of the 14th Ncell Women´s National Football Championship with a 5-1 victory over Banke in Simara on Tuesday.
Krishna Khatri´s hat-trick and a goal each from Deepa Adhikari and Anjali Waiba gave Army the comprehensive victory. Army will face other departmental team Nepal Police Club in the semifinal on Thursday.
Army dominated the match from the beginning and created several scoring chances. In the very first minute Khatri provided a pass to Adhikari inside the area but her shot went wide. Anita Kunwar failed to score from close range in the sixth minute.
Khatri opened scoring for Army in the 24th minutes through a header. Adhikari had taken the ball after Banke goalkeeper Laxmi Nepal failed to grab the ball.
But Banke leveled the score through Laxmi Thapa in the 35th minute. Thapa netted the equalizer after Army custodian Lila Lamgade failed to grab the long range freekick taken by Banke skipper Nanu Khatri.
Adhikar restored the lead for Army during the dying minute of first half through a freekick taken from 20 yard. Army was awarded the freekick after Banke player had handed the ball.
After the lemon break, Sumitra Lamichhane squandered a chance to level for Banke in the 61st minute. Lamichhane´s shot was easily grabbed by the Army goalie. Khatri made it 3-1 for the Army in the 71st minute. In the 81st minute Khatri sprinted with the the ball long midway through the pitch and sent the ball past goalie. Waiba scored in the 83rd minute of the game.
Army coach Krishna Singh Thagunna said his new team was doing well in its first tournament. “The players were fit and achieved victory.”
Banke coach Arjun Singh Thapa admitted they were outplayed by the Army. “Our players could not play against the physically strong opponent.”
Armed Police Force (APF) team will take on Kailali in Chandranigahapur On Wednesday.
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