TAC‚ APF‚ Jhapa in quarter-finals

DIWAKAR BHANDARI

SIMARA: Anjali Waiba scored a hat-trick as debutant Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) thrashed Kaski 8-1 to advance to the quarter-finals of the 14th National Ncell Women’s Football Championship here today.

Apart from Anjali, Krishna Khatri and Deepa Adhikari scored braces each, while Kalpana Karki struck one for the departmental outfit. Krishna provided TAC a 19th minute lead before Anjali doubled the tally six minutes later.

Anjali headed a Deepa cross to make it 3-0 in the 32nd minute. Kalpana netted in the 37th minute as the departmental side went to the break with a comprehensive 4-0 lead. Physically strong Army poured in another four more goals after the break for an emphatic victory.

Deepa joined the scoring spree in the 53rd minute before Anjali completed her hat-trick a minute later. Krishna netted her second in the 61st and Deepa compounded more misery for Kaski netting eighth for the team 10 minutes before the time. Bimala Chaudhary scored a consolation goal for Kaski in the 75th minute.

TAC will now take on the winners of the Sunday’s match between Rupandehi and Banke in quarter-finals. Defending champions Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club and Jhapa made it to the last eight winning their respective matches in Chandranigahapur.

Anu Lama scored six goals alone with Laxmi Poudel and Sajana Rana adding four goals each as APF showered Dhanusha with 18 goals. Jamuna Gurung also completed a hat-trick for the sixth National Games gold medallists.

Anu, who provided the three-time defending champions an early third minute lead, struck in the 13th, 15th, 30th, 47th and 59th minute. Laxmi opened the scoring in the ninth minute added another in the 20th and completed her hat-trick in the 55th minute and struck fourth goal in the 83rd minute.

Sajana found the back of the nets in the 43rd, 45th, 54th and 59th minute, while Jamuna scored the hat-trick striking in the 27th, 70th and 75th minutes. Pramila Rai scored the 18th goal of the departmental side five minutes before the whistle.

Likewise, Jhapa overcame Dolakha 4-0 on goals from Sang Dolma Tamang (18), Sangita Magar (62), Smriti Khadka (68) and Krishna Rai (86). Co-hosts Rautahat will take on Kailali in the first quarter-final of the tournament in Chandranigahapur on Sunday.