Nepal Police Club defeated Chandrapur Municipality 3-0 in the National Women’s League on Friday.

At the top, it’s a tug of war for the title between leaders Armed Police Force (APF) Club and Tribhuvan Army Club. The defending champions are not very far from securing their fourth title, which could also deny the second-placed Army their first ever success in the women’s league.

APF are only two points off at the top having played a game less. But they could increase the gap if they beat Waling Municipality on Saturday.

Nepal Police Club have accumulated 14 points from nine matches, and are eight points below Army.

Despite the win against Chandrapur, they are still at fourth in the league standings. Waling are level with Police but stay in the third position on a goal difference rule.

Srijana Khadka, Nirmala BK and Rekha Poudel scored a goal each against Chandrapur in the day’s only game at the ANFA Complex.

Coming into the second leg after their 3-1 win over Chandrapur on January 31, Police started aggressively and almost went ahead in the 4th minute.

Ranjita Gurung pounced on a weak clearance by Chandrapur defender Sabina Chaudhary and lined up Nirmala BK into the penalty box but goalkeeper Yunisha Rai threw herself towards the ball, which bought her enough time for the reinforcements to arrive.

Seconds later Police were threatening again as BK’s header from a cross fed by Niru Thapa hit the woodwork. This caused a lot of problems in the Chandrapur box and Chandrapur defender Saru Waiba cleared the ball straight into the path of opponent player Rebika Pandey. But Pandey’s strike wooshed just inches away over the crossbar.

The encouraged departmental side led another attack and this time they got their first goal in the 7th minute. Khadka, who was unmarked, converted her shot past Chandrapur goalie from the edge of the box.

Chandrapur’s Asmita Baidya twice went close to pull a leveller in the 14th minute. Her left-footed volley hit the woodwork before the ball found her again. Her second volley attempt was a near miss.

Chandrapur did not really threaten Police after this. The departmental side, meanwhile, continued to build pressure on their opponent.

They almost capitalised on a chance soon after the break when goalkeeper Rai advanced a bit to stop an incoming threat only to surrender an empty net to Gurung at left as the ball bounced off her, which she flashed wide.

But it was BK who gave Police a two-goal advantage heading a pass from Nirmala Upadhyaya in the 54th minute. Paudel then came off the substitute bench and sealed the victory five minutes before the time beating goalkeeper Rai at the six-yard box with a cool finish.

Police coach Sanjeev Joshi said he was expecting more goals.

“Our players were outstanding today…persistent attack, goal scoring opportunities… but I was expecting more goals,” said Joshi.

Chandrapur coach Nurraj Kafle blamed midfielders for fewer chances.

“We played better than previous matches. We failed to score when we had the chance early. But midfielders were not at their best today,” said Kafle whose side sit second from bottom with six points.

“We need to win the remaining matches,” he added.

Biratnagar Metropolitan City will take on winless Chaudandigadhi Municipality later on Saturday.