Sabitra Bhandari scored a hat-trick as Armed Police Force Club thumped Chandrapur Municipality 6-0 in the National Women’s football league on Thursday.

National team striker Bhandari put the departmental side in front when she blasted in a right-footed shot past Chandrapur goalkeeper Yunisha Rai collecting a cross from Anjali Yonjan in the 14th minute at the ANFA Complex. Yonjan doubled the lead after eight minutes heading a corner kick from Saru Limbu into the net.

Bhandari got her second goal of the game 17 minutes after the break and then fed Anita Basnet for the team’s fourth two minutes later, before scoring her hat-trick with a powerful right-footed shot following a solo run in the 72nd minute.

“I am happy to have scored against such a strong team as Chandrapur and bag a win against them,” the 23-year-old striker said after the match.

Substitute Preeti Rai then completed the rout capitalising on a mistake from goalie Rai three minutes from time.

“The players played really well and showed they are the title favourites,” said APF coach Bhagwati Thapa. “The first match is always important and I am happy we won.”

Chandrapur had to replace their key defender Samikshya Ghimire at the start of the second half and coach Noorraj Kafle was quick to blame the team for coming under pressure following her injury.

“We could not handle the game after Ghimire was injured. More goals came in and we could do nothing,” Kafle said. “Our players also lacked fitness in the ground which needs to be improved.”

In another match of the day played at the same venue, Biratnagar Metropolitan City and Waling Municipality shared spoils in their 1-1 draw.

Samjhana Sharma put Waling ahead through a header from a corner in the second minute. But Biratnagar’s Indian signing Asha Kumari pulled an equaliser in the 68th minute which came after Waling goalkeeper’s weak attempt to save Kumari’s long range free kick.

Chaudandigadhi Municipality will take on Nepal Police Club in Friday’s only fixture.