Nepal Police Club Defeats Chandragadhi to Reach Quarter-Finals
BHADRAPUR â Nepal Police Football Club (NPC), considered title favourites, secured a decisive 6-0 win over hosts Chandragadhi Youth Club on Monday. This victory at the Chandragadhi Womenâs Gold Cup sends NPC to the quarter-finals. There, they will face Indiaâs Rani Laxmibai Sports Academy. **The Rekha Poudel Show** Striker Rekha Poudel led the match, becoming the seasonâs first hat-trick scorer. NPC opened the scoring within the first minute. Poudel capitalised on a header from Mina Deuba. Deuba then doubled the lead by converting a rebound from Chandragadhi goalkeeper Shabnam Rai. Mina scored her individual second goal in the 29th minute, courtesy of a pass from Samjhana Lawati. By the 38th minute, Poudel collected the ball at midfield and completed a solo run. She scored to make it 4-0 before halftime.  **Tactical Dominance and Missed Consolations** In the second half, NPC continued to control possession. Substitute Anushka Sherpa scored in the 72nd minute after an assist from Poudel. Five minutes later, Poudel completed her hat-trick by heading in a cross from Deuba. She secured the team's sixth goal. Chandragadhi had a chance to score in first-half stoppage time after a mistake by NPC goalkeeper Usha Nath. But Rekha Bista was unable to convert the opportunity. Rekha Poudel from Nepal Police was adjudged the player of the match. The Chandragadhi Womenâs Gold Cup is a significant event for womenâs football in Nepal. It offers a record-breaking prize pool for a domestic tournament. Looking ahead, APF Football Club will face Okhaldhungaâs Padma Sporting Club on Tuesday.
