Reigning champions Armed Police Force Club secured their ticket to Qualifier 1 of the ANFA Women’s League with two matches remaining after they demolished Waling Municipality 10-0 at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato, Lalitpur on Friday.

Rashmi Kumari Ghising scored four goals to take her season tally to a remarkable 31. Sabita Rana Magar and Saru Limbu each scored a double, while Preeti Rai and Renuka Nagarkoti also got on the scoresheet, ensuring APF finish the league in top two positions.

APF now boast an unassailable 18 points from six games, leaving them eight points clear of third-placed Nepal Police Club, who only have two games remaining. The outcome means Police will not be able to topple APF from the top-two position even if they win both of their remaining matches.

The win also extended APF’s winning streak in the competition to 14 matches. They are also unbeaten in the tournament, with their only minor setback being a goalless draw against Police in their opening game of the league.

Tribhuvan Army Club, on 13 points, have a three-point advantage over Police and their superior goal difference places them as favourites to join APF in Qualifier 1. A relatively easier fixture against Waling on Sunday further strengthened their chances. Army face APF in the last fixture of the Super League stage.

Police, meanwhile, face tough challenges against Bagmati and APF in their final two games. Even victories in both fixtures may not be enough for Police to overtake Army.

All three departmental teams have already secured their spot in the playoffs.

The winners of Qualifier 1 will directly advance into the title match, set for January 29.

The losing side of Qualifier 1 will play against the winners of Eliminator—contested by the third- and fourth-placed teams—in the second qualifier for the remaining spot in the championship match.

Three-time defending champions APF, who are looking to win a fourth consecutive league title, have been unstoppable this season as well, and their relentless form was on full display against a winless Waling.

Ghising opened the floodgates with two strikes early in the game.

She opened the scoring in the 7th minute heading in a corner delivered by set piece maestro Anita Basnet and doubled APF’s lead a minute later with a clinical finish from just inside the penalty area after Rana Magar dispossessed Waling defender Rojita Bist and set her up.

Rai, widely regarded as Nepal’s finest midfielder, extended APF’s lead in the 20th minute with a stunning volley after Rana Magar fed her with a precise cross.

Limbu added a quick brace in the 23rd and 27th minutes. Her first came from a wonderful low drive from a tight angle after Nagarkoti assisted her, while her second was a rebound following a Basnet free-kick that nipped the palm of Waling goalkeeper Radhika Oli before hitting the crossbar.

In between Limbu’s goals, Nagarkoti also wrote her name in the scoresheet with a sublime strike from the edge of the box.

Ghising continued her scoring spree after the break with two more goals. Ghising completed her hat-trick in the 54th minute nodding in a cross from Rana Magar and got her fourth of the game in the 59th converting another assist by Rana Magar.

Rana Magar then got on the scoresheet herself with a late brace, scoring APF’s ninth in the 83rd minute after Anita KC’s set up and sealing the rout in the 85th minute from a pass from Rai.

Waling suffered their sixth loss in as many games and have a very slim chance of progressing to the playoffs as top four teams.

Bagmati Youth Club, on four points, hold the upper hand in the race for fourth and final playoff spot.