Khatri treble guides TAC into semis

ADARSHA DHAKAL

SIMARA: Youngest departmental side Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) entered the semi-finals of the 14th Ncell National Women’s Football Championship with a 5-1 rout of Banke here today.

Krishna Khatri struck a fine hat-trick, while Deepa Adhikari and Anjali Waiba added one each to give TAC a comprehensive victory. TAC will now take on another departmental side Nepal Police Club (NPC) in their semi-final match on Thursday.

TAC began their domination from the first minute when Anjali set for Deepa inside the area but she ended up shooting wide. Five minutes later Anita Kunwar failed to score from a close range. Banke’s first real chance came in the 15th minute with Laxmi managing to beat the offside trap to find a pass from Sumitra Lamichhane inside the area. Laxmi, however, ended up applying a weak shot.

TAC promptly responded with Krishna setting up Deepa at the edge of the area. Deepa sprinted with the ball taking it close to the goalmouth but Banke goalkeeper Laxmi Nepal superbly kept her shot out. Krishna struck in the 24th minute after Deepa atoned for her mistake. Deepa took a perfect corner that goalkeeper Laxmi failed to grip and Krishna headed into the nets to put TAC ahead.

Banke levelled through Laxmi Thapa in the 35th minute after a mistake from TAC custodian Lila Lamgade. Lila fumbled a freekick from Banke skipper Nanu Khatri and Laxmi took no time to reach the keeper and bring the equaliser. Deepa helped TAC regain their lead with a 20-yard freekick that left Banke goalkeeper helpless in the 45th.

After the resumption, Sumitra squandered a chance to level for Banke in the 61st minute. Sumitra hit straight to TAC keeper Lila after Laxmi had set for her in an unmarked situation inside the area. Krishna put TAC at a strong position in the 71st minute heading home her second goal and did extremely well to sprint with the ball from Banke midfield blasting inside the nets 10 minutes later.

The hat-trick scorer then turned into a setter, providing Anjali with an acute cross from left. Anjali made a cool finish for a comprehensive TAC victory in the 83rd minute. TAC coach Krishna Singh Thagunna said his new team is getting a good shape. “This is the first tournament that we have played after the formation of a team. There was some pressure but we were able to shake them off with our physical superiority,” said the coach.

His Banke counterpart Arjun Singh Thapa admitted they were outplayed by TAC strength. “We had noticed their physical strength in previous match. We were undone by what they are well known for,” said Thapa. “We were playing with an inexperienced team,” he added.

On Wednesday, three-time defending champions Nepal APF Club will take on Kailali in Chandranigahapur.