Amrita Jaishi struck a dramatic stoppage time winner as Nepal Police Club defeated Bagmati Youth Club 1-0 in the Eliminator to reach the Qualifier 2 of the ANFA Women’s League at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato, Lalitpur on Friday.

Police will next face the losing side from Qualifier 1 clash between defending champions Armed Police Force Club and Tribhuvan Army Club, who are set to lock horns in a high-stake departmental derby on Saturday. The winners of Qualifier 1 will earn a direct berth to the January 29 final. The winners of Qualifier 2, which is scheduled for Monday, will secure the remaining spot in the title match.

Bagmati came into the match riding high on confidence after holding Police to a goalless stalemate in their second leg encounter during the Super League last week. But their toothless attacking line failed to trouble Police for much of the game.

Police, however, faced an early setback after their key player Puja Rana was sidelined with an injury and displayed another lacklustre display in the first half, creating only a handful of opportunities.

Their best chance of the opening period came in the 12th minute when Monika Pulami Magar’s long ball found Birsana Chaudhary on a counter attack. Chaudhary skillfully bypassed Bagmati defender Divya Yasmali Magar to enter the penalty area but failed to convert as Yasmali recovered in time to neutralise the threat.

Police came close again in the 49th minute after a defensive lapse by Pushpa Kumari Khadka. Jaishi pounced on the mistake and unleashed a low drive from the edge of the area, but her effort rattled the upright.

Police continued to struggle after the interval against a more disciplined Bagmati defense but showed more urgency late in the game that saw attempts by Niru Thapa and Chaudhary in the 80th and 83rd minute, followed by a wasted close-range opportunity from Samjhana Lawati in the 89th minute.

With the match seemingly heading towards extra time, Jaishi delivered the decisive shot in the dying seconds. Left unmarked by Bagmati defence, Jaishi met a perfectly timed cross from Pulami Magar and headed into the net to seal a hard-fought victory for Police.