Football
Waling, Koshi reach Super League
Waling beat Chandrapur 2-1 and Koshi thump Sudurpaschim 4-0 to secure top five finish in the first round of the ANFA Women’s League. Bagmati, Sankata and Chandrapur crash out.Sports Bureau
Waling Municipality and Koshi Province progressed to the Super League stage of the ANFA Women’s League on Thursday.
Waling defeated Chandrapur Municipality 2-1 while Koshi thumped Sudurpaschim Province 4-0 at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur that secured both a top-five finish after the first round.
Defending champions Armed Police Force Club lead the standings with 22 points. Tribhuvan Army Club are second and Nepal Police Club occupy the third spot.
The victories ensured Waling a fourth-placed finish and Koshi fifth position in the ten-team standings.
Sudurpaschim, who were already eliminated before the Koshi clash, concluded their struggling season without a victory and at the bottom of the table.
Chandrapur crashed out after loss to Waling, while the outcomes also eliminated unfortunate Bagmati Youth Club and Sankata from the race for top-five finish without playing their final league matches.
Both Waling and Koshi needed a victory to book their tickets to the remaining two spots in the second round.
Waling were the first to do so, courtesy of goals from Sukriya Miya and Jackline Nassali.
Miya gave Waling the lead in the fifth minute with a beautiful volley after Chandrapur goalkeeper Usha Thapa’s failed attempt to grab a corner landed directly into the path of Maya.
Uganda forward Nassali doubled Waling’s lead in the 37th minute, beautifully finishing off a counter attack after she was set up by Sushma Tamang.
Sunita Sunar gave Chandrapur hopes of comeback, pulling their first goal of the game in the 50th minute with a cool finish.
But Waling held on to the slim lead to qualify for the next round.
Koshi had a relatively easier task against Sudurpaschim and romped to victory comfortably after Samikshya Magar hit a brace. Mamata Raut and Khusma Rai were also on target for Koshi.
Magar was also involved in Koshi’s opening goal as she set up Raut whose lofted shot stung the palm of Sudurpaschim goalkeeper Tikesori Saud before finding the net in the 24th minute.
Magar furthered Koshi’s lead in the 53rd minute. Raut was the provider. She intercepted a poor goal kick from Amita Bhul and quickly fed Sunita Sarkar on the right. Sarkar then launched a perfect cross for Magar to tap home.
Magar then added Koshi’s third in the 65th minute thanks to Purnima Rai’s skilled footwork. Rai showed her control to receive a through pass from Neha Kumari Chaudhary inside the box and artfully put the ball through advancing goalie Saud and two other defenders. Magar was waiting in front of the empty net and tucked away a simple finish.
Khusma wrapped up the victory in the 85th minute with a powerful long ranger.
The Super League will be played in a double robin format. The top four finishers will compete in the Qualifiers, Eliminator and final.