Defending champions Armed Police Club asserted their dominance in the ANFA Women’s League as they defeated Tribhuvan Army Club 3-1 in a high-octane Super League derby at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato, Lalitpur on Saturday.

Fresh off a resounding 6-0 triumph over Nepal Police Club on Thursday, the three-time defending champions APF decimated Army to cement their status as favourites for a fourth consecutive league title.

The result moved APF five points clear of second placed Army after the end of the first stage of the Super League, with a flawless 12 points from four matches. The outcome also extended APF’s winning streak in the competition to 12 games.

Captain Anita Basnet had scored a hat-trick in a rout against Police two days ago and carried that fine form with a goal and two assists against Army.

Army’s preparation was dealt an early blow when their first choice goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar was ruled out of the starting line up due to illness.

However, they received a boost in the attacking front with the return of Amisha Karki and troubled APF in the 9th minute when Chandra Bhandari dispossessed Gita Rana just outside the box but failed to capitalise on the opportunity as she hit straight to APF goalkeeper Sabitri Kisan.

A minute later, miscommunication in the APF defence almost gifted Army a chance but Kisan’s quick intervention averted the danger, albeit at the cost of an injury. During the rescue effort, Kisan clashed badly with Anjana Thulung Rai and had to be substituted by Jharana Dumrakoti after the first half.

APF gradually grew into the game after a shaky start and began showing their true side after the half-hour mark.

They found their first chance at goal in the 33rd minute when Sabita Rana Magar set up Rashmi Kumari Ghising with a precise cross after Saru Limbu stretched the Army defence. All Ghising needed to do was tap in but missed the sitter.

Rana Magar squandered another golden opportunity in the 37th minute when Basnet’s cross found her unmarked in front of the six yard box but her tame effort was comfortably saved by Army second-choice goalkeeper Kopila Khadka.

APF’s defence also got organised gradually and prevented Army from penetrating their backline with a disciplined display as the game went into the break with a goalless stalemate.

APF returned stronger after the interval and broke the deadlock in the 60th minute when Nisha Thokar headed home a freekick from Basnet.

Army responded in the 70th minute through Bimala Thapa, who volleyed the ball, taking advantage of a mixup after her initial effort rebounded off the upright.

APF upped the pressure and reached closer to finding the net in the 75th from a series of attacks following a corner but could not breach the Army defence. The sequence culminated when Army goalie Khadka made a last-ditch diving save to quell the onslaught.

APF’s pressure finally paid off in the 85th minute as Basnet’s freekick took a deflection off the Army wall before soaring into the top corner.

Preeti Rai put icing on the cake in stoppage time with a stunning long-range strike.

Despite the defeat, Army occupy the second spot, tied on seven points with Nepal Police Club but remained ahead on goal difference.

Bagmati stay in fourth position after earning their first three points on Friday, with a 3-0 victory against winless Waling Municipality.

The second leg of the double round robin league starts Monday.

The top four teams at the end of the Super League phase will qualify for the playoffs, where the top two sides will face off in Qualifier 1 for a direct berth in the final. The third and fourth-placed teams will battle in the Eliminator, with the winner advancing to meet the loser of Qualifier 1 in the second qualifier for the remaining spot in the championship match on January 29.

The playoffs and the final will be held at the Dasharath Stadium.