National team’s prolific striker Sabitra Bhandari scored the winner as Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club prevailed over Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) in a departmental duel to finish as group winners in the 16th National Women’s Football League under the National Sports Council (NSC) Championships on Friday.

In the battle of supremacy between the two giants of women’s football, Bhandari struck in the 50th minute after the first half ended on a goalless stalemate at the Anfa Complex. APF finished Group ‘B’ at the top of the table with nine points from maximum three games. TAC followed them in the Super League as runners-up.

Both the teams had already progressed prior to the match. Western Region finished third with three points and Mid Western Region, who were crushed 26-0 by APF, ended up their campaign winless. Bhandari had scored 12 goals alone in that match and now tallies with 21 goals. 

Western, meanwhile, headed home with a consolation victory after they beat Mid West 2-0 with both goals coming in the second half for them. In the dead rubber, Western were lucky enough to go ahead in the 61st minute after Sama Karki scored in her own nets. Mid West’s terrible campaign ended with yet another defeat when Sunita BK added the second.

The Super League matches will kick off on Saturday with TAC taking on another departmental rivals Nepal Police Club and APF meeting Far Western Region. Likewise, NPC and Far West meet on Monday before APC and TAC clash in the day’s second game. The Super League games conclude on Wednesday with the meetings between Far West and TAC along with TAC and APF. The team finishing at top of the table in  Super League will claim title.