APF defeat Central Region 3-1 to win CoAS title

Nepal APF Club defeated Central Region 3-1 to win the title of the CoAS fourth International Women’s Football Tournament at the Army Physical Training and Sports Centre on Wednesday.

Sabitra Bhandari scored a brace and Anita Basnet scored a goal for APF’s win. While Nisha Thokar was the lone scorer for Central Region.

APF took the lead in the 26th minute with Sabitra’s goal. Nepali women’s national team striker Sabitra scored the goal in her solo effort beating Central Region’s goalkeeper Anjana Rana. She extended APF’s lead in the 42nd minute.

In the second half, Central Region cut the deficit 2-1 with Nisha’s brilliant free kick in the 66th minute. Referee had given the freekick to Central region after APF’s Gita Rana Magar fouled striker Rashmi Kumari Ghising and Nisha beautifully converted it.

Central Region’s hope of getting back into the game was given a blow when Anita scored APF’s third goal in 82nd minute. With the third goal, APF also sealed the 3-1 victory and lifted the winners’ trophy for the second consecutive year.

Sabitra, who netted 13 goals in the competition, was declared the best player of the tournament and was received a scooter.

Central Region’s Aanjana Rana, received the best goalkeeper award of the tournament.

Similarly, Saru Limbu of APF, Nisha Thokar of Central Region and Sumitra Yonjan of Army were declared as the best forward, best defender and best midfielder of the tournament respectively. Likewise, the winning side’s head coach Janak Singh Tharu was given the best coach of the tournament award. All of the best players and coach were handed Rs 10,000 each.

Altogether nine teams including eight Nepali teams and one Indian team had participated in the tournament which offers the biggest cash prize in the Nepali women’s football. Indian team that came from Sikkim couldn’t progress from the group stage.

Winner APF won a purse of Rs 300,000 while runner-up Central Region was handed Rs 150,000. Similarly, semifinalists Police and Army were given Rs 50,000 each.

Chief of Army Staff General Rajendra Chettri distributed the prizes to the winners.