Tribhuvan Army Club launched their ANFA Women’s League campaign in style as they thrashed debutants Sankata 4-0 at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur on Wednesday.

Sabitra Devi Magar, Bimala Chaudhary and Anita Lamjel were on target for Army, whose third goal came through an own goal from Sankata’s Anusha Thebe.

Army are one of the strongest teams in the women’s league but have always fallen short against their departmental rivals Nepal Police Club and Armed Police Force Club in the title race.

Reigning champions APF are the most successful with six titles, while Police are four-time winners.

APF and Police played a 0-0 stalemate in their league opener on Tuesday, and their draw could now benefit Army in their bid for a first trophy.

Army were a better side at Satdobato and almost opened the scoring in the second minute when Hima Chaudhary’s cross evaded Sankata’s Tening Sene and found Bimala unmarked in front of the empty post but Bimala could not capitalise on the chance.

Army continued to pressurise the Sankata box and found the breakthrough in the 19th minute through Devi Magar who flicked a cross from Bimala directly into the net.

Sankata had a golden opportunity to level the score in the 22nd minute when Pratikshya Thakuri defence splitting pass turned the Army inside out but Mamta Pun could not beat Army goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar.

Sankata found another chance three minutes later after Diki Syangbo Tamang set up Thakuri with an almost carbon copy of the previous move but Thakuri could not keep her cool and ended up hitting a tame shot that did not trouble Army goalie Rana Magar even a little.

Bimala doubled Army’s lead in the 62nd minute pouncing on a shoddy defending from Sankata, whose careless act of leaving Chandra Bhandari and Bimala free in front of the post allowed the duo to receive a cross from Hima before happily putting the ball inside the net.

Army went 3-0 up in the 71st minute when Thebe’s attempt to keep out a corner from Bimal went into her own post.

Lamjel then wrapped up a comfortable victory thanks to another similar defensive mistake from Sankata. This time Sankata defenders left Chandra, Lamjel and Bimala unchecked in front of the post. Seeing the opportunity, Hima took no time to cut back for Chandra, who set up Lamjel to slam home an easy goal.

Bagmati Province, who mauled Sudurpaschim Province 5-1 in their league opener on Monday, will look to continue their perfect start against Koshi Province on Thursday.

But Koshi will be full of confidence, determined to maintain their momentum from their 4-0 demolition of Waling Municipality in the league opener.

Waling and Karnali are also in action later in the afternoon.