A first-half brace from Bimal Rana powered the defending champions Manang Marshyangdi Club to a 2-0 win over Armed Police Force in the Martyrs' Memorial 'A' Division League at the Dashrath Stadium on Wednesday.

Despite better passing and possession, the departmental side had a little to exhibit in terms of converting their opportunities. Buddhi Man Rai could have put the Armed Police Force ahead in the ninth minute but he was denied by the bar.

APF’s pressing game produced a couple of more chances, but Ram Kumar Kumal wasted on both the occasions. After narrowly missing the target in the 16th minute, Kumal wasted a measured pass from Nabin Lama five minutes later, with only Manang custodian Deep Karki to beat.

However, APF were forced back to their territory as the defending champions showed urgency as they approached the half-hour mark. Manang forward Jagajeet Shrestha set teammate Rana free with a clear ball inside the area. Rana got the better of his markers to put Manang 1-0 up with a header in the 28th minute.

Three minutes later, Rana centred the ball into the area from the left corner to find Ranjan Bista. But Bista mistimed his volley as the ball sailed over the bar.

Manang’s continued pressure cracked open the APF defence again to double their lead in the 34th minute. Manang's Ivorian defender Koara Larba Florent K, after a blistering run through the midfield, could have made an attempt himself but chose to put Rana through. Rana, after collecting the pass from Florent inside the area, sent APF goalie Amrit Kumar Chaudhary the wrong way.

The APF had a chance to narrow the deficit towards the close of the opening half, but Prabin Kumar Syangtan spooned his shot over the bar.

After the change of ends, the departmental side pushed hard from the flanks, but could not capitalise on their moves. The Manang defenders held firm to frustrate the rival forwards to drive home their 2-0 lead.

"The boys’ lack of experience was evident and there was a clear communication gap,” said APF coach Rajendra Tamang, referring to his defenders’ poor communication with the teammates up front.

But he is not losing hope just yet. “We’ll sort out this problem with improve showings as the tournament progresses,” he said.

Despite setting their tent at the back for much of the second half, Manang Marsyangdi coach Dhanesor Prajapati said he was content with his side’s performance. "We played to our strategy and happy to walk away with three points,” he said.

But Prajapati noted a few chinks in his team’s armour, most notably at the back. “We’ve got to resolve that if we are to successfully defend the title," he continued. “Having lost a lots of players to other clubs this season, we are working with a young squad. However, with a few experienced players on hand the side retains a balance.”

Manang Marsyangdi, the winners of a record eight league titles, are without a single player from the current national team in their squad this season. Anjan Bista is currently serving 45-day suspension after the country’s football governing body, ANFA, found him violating players’ code.

Heading into the new season, MMC had lost their key players in former Nepal captain Biraj Maharjan, Nepal Under-23 captain Sujal Shrestha and Nepali internationals Bishal Rai, Bishal Shrestha and Avishek Rijal, who all joined Machhindra Club.

Earlier, Three Star Club and Jawalakhel Youth Club shared points as the derby game ended scoreless. The league resumes on Friday after a rest day on Thursday.