After a goalless first half in the final, Army defender Ishwari Chuni Magar scored an own goal seven minutes after the break. Chuni Magar headed into her own net in a bid to defend Niru Thapa´s cross from a crowded box.
Champion Police bagged Rs 300,000 -- the highest cash prize in women´s knockout football -- along with the running shield. Runner-up Army had to be satisfied with Rs 150,000 while another departmental team Armed Police Force, which finished third, received Rs 75,000. [break]
The winner and the runner-up teams shared three individual awards each with Niru Thapa of Police taking home the best player award. She received a Yamaha scooter. The best players in four different positions -- goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward -- and the best coach were awarded with a cash prize of Rs 10,000 each.
Army piled consistent pressure in the first half and dominated ball possession. However, it failed to threaten the opposition goal even once. The second half was just the opposite with Police dominating the show and ball possession.
Police coach Sandesh Shrestha commented that his side failed to play to its potential in the final. "The semifinal against APF was tough and competitive. We performed well against APF but failed to play with the same tune against Army today," Shrestha said. "The team was under pressure playing against Army on its home ground."
"Main striker Niru Thapa and Chandra Bhandari were under tight marking, so we sent Nirmala Sunuwar in Bhandari´s position and also created some scoring chances but failed to utilize them," Shrestha said.
Police skipper Bhandari opined that such tournaments will be vital for the development of women´s football in Nepal. "Though Army is a new team the final was competitive. This type of tournament will be helpful for us in winning international tournaments as well."
Thapa, who was declared the best player of the tournament for the first time, thanked her coach and teammates for her achievement. "I will try to play better in the coming days," said Thapa, who scored a total of eight goals during the tournament including a double hat-trick against Central Region.
Army coach Chakra Tamang described his side´s run to the final as an achievement. "It is an achievement for a team formed only two years ago to make it to the final," said Tamang. "Police is a strong side in women´s football and I am satisfied with the way my team performed today. The team played to its potential and still needs to learn more."
Chief of Army Staff Gaurav Shumsher Rana, National Sports Council Member Secretary Yuvaraj Lama, ANFA President Ganesh Thapa, among others, distributed the prizes.
Individual awards
Award Winner Team
Best player Niru Thapa Police
Best goalkeeper Namita Dali Police
Best defender Dhim Kumari Gurung Army
Best midfielder Deepa Adhikari Army
Best forward Krishna Khatri Army
Best coach Sandesh Shrestha Police
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