Lalitpur, November 21

Defending champions Nepal APF Club and Tribhuvan Army Club advanced to the final of the CoAS fifth International Women’s Football Tournament here at the Army Sports Complex grounds today.

In the semi-final matches, APF beat fellow departmental side Nepal Police Club 4-3 in penalty shoot out, while TAC outplayed Central Region 3-1.

The final match is scheduled for Thursday at the Nepal Army Headquarters grounds in Kathmandu.

The match between APF and NPC was decided through spot kick battle after both the teams played a 2-2 draw in regulation period and extra time.

APF’s Sabita Bhandari, Sajana Rana, Manu Dong and Renuka Nagarkoti converted their shots, while Gita Rana failed to score.

Similarly, NPC’s Yashoda Lama, Menuka Giri and Ghim Kumari Gurung were able to score, while Niru Thapa and Nirmala BK were denied by APF goalkeeper Anjila Tumbampo.

Earlier in the regulation time, Sabitra Bhandari scored a brace for APF, while Nirmala BK and Niru Thapa netted a goal each for NPC. Bhandari opened the scoring for APF in the 26th minute through a spot kick after NPC’s Ghim Kumari Gurung brought down Anita Basnet inside the box in the 25th minute. Bhandari doubled the tally in the injury time of the first half.

However, NPC came back strongly after the interval and scored two goals to level the tally. BK cut the deficit in the 50th minute and Thapa levelled the scores in the 76th minute.

In another match, TAC’s Sapana Lama scored a brace and Krishna Khatri added one, while Rashmi Kumari Ghising replied for Central. TAC’s Lama found the back of the nets in the 23rd minute before Central’s Ghising levelled the scores in the 42nd minute. However, Lama added her second goal in the 69th minute and Khatri scored in the 67th minute from the spot to seal the victory for the hosts.