Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) stunned defending champions Nepal Police Club (NPC) 3-2 in the super league stages of the Women’s National League here at the Anfa Complex on Monday.

Sharmila Thapa Magar scored a brace while Krishna Khatri struck the winner for the Army team.  Nisha Sunwar and Niru Thapa netting one goal each for the defending champions. The defeat could be a massive blow for NPC who are yet to meet Nepal Armed Police Force Club in a tough tie. Eastern Region is the other team to have entered the super league of the tournament.

Thapa Magar gave a shock lead to TAC in the 23rd minute as they headed into the second half with a slim 1-0 advantage. However, Thapa Magar put her side in a comfortable position scoring one minute after the resumption.

Nisha Sunwar cut the

deficit in the 60th minute but Khatri all but sealed the

victory adding another goal in the 80th minute. Thapa raised some hopes converting a penalty in the 88th minute but the final score line remained the same.

NPC coach Sandesh Shrestha said his side was not able to take control of the game in the opening stages of the match. “Army are always a tough side and the match was evenly contested. It took us a while to find rhythm in the first half,” Shrestha told the official website of the All Nepal Football Association.

“We could have easily won the game had we managed to play the first half like the way we did in the second,” Shrestha added. TAC coach Chakra Tamang was not surprised by the result. “We came for a win and we are happy that we achieved it. Beating the defending champions in the opening (of the super league) is always a great morale booster. We will maintain this streak,” he said.