Anjali Yonjan and Saru Limbu scored as Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club defeated their fierce rivals Tribhuvan Army Club 2-0 to move four points clear at top of National Women’s League table on Tuesday.

At the ANFA Complex, APF went in front in the 28th minute when Yonjan’s left-footed shot, fed by Sabitra Bhandari, found the top right corner. Bhandari also had a hand in APF’s second goal as the league’s top scorer found Limbu in the injury time of the first half and Limbu made no mistake.

APF are unbeaten in the league, and lead the standings with nine points after three successive victories. They had earlier thrashed Chandrapur Municipality 6-0 and humiliated Biratnagar Metropolitan City 7-0, but coach Bhagwati Thapa was coy on title credentials.

“It’s still too early to talk about the title. We still have many games left and opponents are improving after each match,” said Thapa.

“We are not presently focused on the title, but today’s win over Army has certainly boosted the team’s confidence.”

The defeat also denied Army the opportunity to leapfrog Nepal Police Club, who were earlier held to a 1-1 draw by Waling Municipality at the same venue. Army are third in the table with four points after their opening draw against Police and 7-0 win over Waling.

Army, considered one of the title favourites, were unable to threaten the APF’s goal line and coach Raju Tamang was unhappy their midfielders failed to feed the forwards and create goal scoring chances.

“Our midfielders were out of form today and we could not create opportunities throughout the game. After we conceded, our players got more nervous,” said Tamang. “But we still have nine games left to get back on the title race. We need to improve.”

Earlier, Waling took a shock lead eight minutes after the break with a crisp left-footed finish from their Cameroonian signing Metho Eludie Ruth.

Rekha Paudel had thrown away the opportunity to put the Police ahead in the 29th minute when she failed to convert on one versus one with Waling goalkeeper Sabitri Kishan. But 13 minutes after conceding, Paudel volleyed a free kick from Amrita Jaisi past Kishan to save Police their blushes.

Police coach Sanjiv Joshi rued the missed opportunities.

“We were unfortunate not to score. We should have won today,” said Joshi.

But Waling coach Dilip Thapa, whose side had played a 1-1 draw against Biratnagar, was happy to hold Police and grab their second point from two matches.

“We showed the character and held the departmental team today. We can improve further,” said Thapa.

Police, who had thumped Chaudandigadhi 6-0 in their second match, are second in the table with five points. Waling are fifth.

Chandrapur can leapfrog Police to second if they beat Biratnagar on Wednesday, while Biratnagar will look for their first win.