Nepal Police Club began the Super League campaign of the ANFA Women’s League with a dominating 5-0 victory over Waling Municipality at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Friday.

Anuska Sherpa and Samjhana Lawati each netted twice, while Puja Rana also found the target against a Waling side that was playing without their foreign players Jackline Nassali, Viola Namuddu and Cissy Nantongo.

The Ugandan trio, who have returned home, had been superb in Waling’s campaign in the first round this season, scoring 13 of their 17 goals and helping the team secure a fourth-place finish and qualify for the Super League. Nassali was the second highest goal scorer with eight goals, behind Rashmi Ghising (18).

Waling’s trouble began early when their first-choice goalkeeper Radhika Oli had to be stretchered off due to an injury.

It made Waling too vulnerable and Police celebrated it with a goal fest.

Waling had a golden chance to take a shock-led in the 25th minute when Police captain Amrita Jaisi’s poor back pass allowed Mina Deuba to go one-versus-one with Police goalkeeper Usha Nath but Deuba wasted the opportunity.

Police punished Waling for that miss with their opening goal in the 27th minute through Sherpa, who sneaked past Waling defenders to tap in a cross from Nirmala Upadhyaya.

Lawati doubled Police’s advantage in the added time of the first half, lofting a long-range strike over Waling’s substitute goalkeeper Sajina Majhi, whose positioning and response left much to be desired.

Police carried the momentum into the second half and went far from reach inside just three minutes with two quick goals.

Rana scored Police’s third seconds into the restart taking advantage of a poor show from Waling defenders. The defenders kept the ball in front of the six yard box for too long that allowed Rana to steal the possession and slam into the back of the net.

Police went 4-0 up in the 48th minute. An unmarked Sherpa freely received a cross from Lawati and poked past a helpless Majhi for her second goal of the game.

Lawati completed the rout in the 60th minute with a brilliant freekick that stung the palm of lazy Majhi before finding the net.

Police had progressed to the Super League, securing a third-place finish in the first round.

In Thursday’s opening fixture, Tribhuvan Army Club defeated Bagmati Youth Club 2-0 to start the Super League in style.

Defending champions and first round leaders Armed Police Force Club take on Bagmati on Saturday.

The top four teams at the end of the double round-robin Super League will advance into the playoffs, where top two teams will vie in the Qualifier 1 for a direct berth in the final. The third- and fourth-placed teams will battle in the Eliminator. The winning team of the Eliminator will face the losing side of Qualifier 1 for the final spot in the title match on January 29.

The playoff round will take place from January 24 to January 27.

Results

ANFA Women’s League

Super League

Police5-0Waling

Anuska Sherpa 27’, 48’

Samjhana Lawati 45+1’, 60’

Puja Rana 46’