Kailali had stopped APF till the dying minute of the first half game but APF skipper Jamuna Gurung led her team ahead in the injury time. [break]Gurung, who is also the skipper of the national team, added another late goal in the second half while Anu Lama and Pramila Rai scored a goal each to rout Kailali.
Gurung gave the lead to APF capitalizing on a defensive lapse of Kailali skipper Nisha Chaudhary. Chaudhary lost control of a high ball outside the edge, which Gurung shot past Chaudhary.
APF team, the gold medalist of the Sixth National Games, comprises players from the national team. Kailali never let them settle down for the first 45 minutes with its solid defense and fine work from goalkeeper Rita Chaudhary.
Early in the second half, Gurung was close to scoring again but Kailali goalkeeper Chaudhary saved the powerful close range shot.
Anu Lama doubled the lead of APF in the 52nd minutes. Lama utilized the defensive error of the Kailali defenders. Chaudhary could not stop the skillful shot of Lama. Five minutes later, Rai put APF in a strong position taking a cross from Tulasha Singh. Rai´s skillful shot was unread by Kailali goalie Chaudhary.
Gurung sealed the victory for APF in the 82nd minute. Sajana Rana gave an acute pass to Gurung from the box which she simply tapped into the post. Kailali players rarely threatened APF and were not able to cash in on a few countable moves they created.
APF coach Milan Rai said Kailali did not allow them to play their natural game. “After the first half we managed to play our natural game and our game improved,” said Rai, adding “We will focus on winning the title.”
Kailali coach Gopal Prasad Chaudhary said that his team failed to recover from own mistake in the first half. “APF is a strong team but we did well in the first half.”
With the victory, APF has set up an all-departmental team final. APF will play against the winner of Thursday´s second semifinal match between Tribhuvan Army Club and Nepal Police Club.
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