Kathmandu, November 18:

Armed Police Force (APF) Officers’ Club beat former champions Nabil Three Star Club 2-0 in the Martyrs’ Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League at the Dasharath Stadium today.

Santosh Sahukhala and Ajay Silwal KC scored a goal each in the APF win.

In their third meetings in the national league, this is the second win of the departmental team against Three Star. APF had upset Three Star in the first leg 2-1 last year and lost 0-1 in the second leg.

The Armed Police team dominated the former champions from the beginning and did not allow their opponents to penetrate through their defence. In the entire game, Three Star made just one real threat but skipper Surendra Tamang’s corner kick was punched out by goalie Samit Rajbhandari in the 16th minute.

Sahukhala provided APF the lead in the 41st minute when he converted a spectacular 25-yard free kick that left Three Star goalkeeper Binod Dangol unmoved. The APF earned the free kick after Pradeep Maharjan fouled Sahukhala.

Silwal came up with even more stunning goal to double their lead in the 54th minute when he guided the ball from the midfield and beat four Three Star players before firing home from 35 yards. Santosh Sahukhala won the Adidas man of the match award.

Three Star coach Bal Gopal Maharjan said that his players could not implement what they were instructed during training.

Maharjan also lamented the absence of winger Vijay Gurung as well as his compulsion to field another winger Vishan Gauchan despite injury. “We deserved to lose the match after seeing them (APF) play,” Maharjan said.

APF coach Dhurba KC was happy with his boys’ performance. “We were looking for at least a draw, but the boys played a lot better for the win.”

Today’s match

• TAC vs MPC @ 2:30pm