Nirmala's hat-trick leads Police into quarters

KATHMANDU, Dec 21: The women's football team of Nepal Police Club reached the quarterfinals of the CoAS Third International Women's Football Tournament on Monday defeating Eastern Region 3-1 in the opening match held at the Army Headquarters, Bhadrakali with a hat-trick from Nirmala Sunar.

Eastern Region scored the first goal against the run of the play as Rekha Paudel lobbed a goal above Police goalkeeper Namita Kumari Dali in the 16th minute.Former champion Police fought back with three goals from Nirmala to deny victory to the hopeful Eastern Region.

In another match held at the Army Phyiscal Training and Sports Center, Lagankhel, Manisha Rawat scored a brace as Central Region defeated Mid Western Region 3-0 to secure a place in the last eight.

Manisha gave the lead to Central Region in the 51st minute while Rashmi Ghising doubled the lead in the 63rd minute. Manisha added the third in the 87th minute to put the match beyond Mid Western Region's reach.

Altogether 10 teams are competing in the 7-day event which will conclude on Sunday, according to Lt Col Ram Kaji Rana Magar, chief of the Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC).

The participating teams are TAC, Nepal Police Club, APF Sports Club, five regional teams and a team each from Bihar and Sikkim.

The winning team will receive Rs 300,000 while the runner-up will be awarded Rs 100,000. The other semifinalists will go home with Rs 50,000 each. Meanwhile, the best player of the tournament will receive a Yamaha scooter.

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