APF FC, the powerhouse of women’s football in Nepal, has secured the championship title in the Second Current International Invitational Women’s Gold Cup. In an exciting departmental derby final held at Ilam Tundikhel, APF defeated Tribhuvan Army Football Club 2-1 to claim the trophy.
Thrilling Final Match
APF FC emerged victorious with goals from Sabita Rana Magar and Gita Rana, while Bimala Chaudhary netted the lone consolation goal for Army. APF took the lead in the 25th minute of the first half when Gita Rana confidently converted a penalty. In the 19th minute of the second half, Sabita Rana Magar doubled APF’s advantage with a simple tap-in finish after a brilliant assist from captain Anita Basnet, who skillfully dribbled past a defender and delivered a perfect cross. Army tried to mount a comeback, and in the 26th minute of the second half, Bimala Chaudhary scored a header to make it 2-1. However, despite their efforts, Army could not find an equalizer, and APF held on to lift the trophy.
Prize Money and Awards
With this victory, APF FC received a cash prize of NPR 400,000 along with a prestigious trophy, while the runners-up, Tribhuvan Army FC, settled for NPR 200,000 and a trophy.
Several individual awards were also distributed:
- Player of the Match (Final) – Sabita Rana Magar (APF) (NPR 5,000)
- Best Goalkeeper – Anjana Rana Magar (Army)
- Best Defender – Bimala BK
- Highest Scorer – Rashmi Kumar Ghising
- Best Midfielder – Renuka Nagarkoti
- Player of the Tournament – APF captain Anita Basnet
Each individual award winner received NPR 10,000, except for the Player of the Tournament, who received NPR 15,000.
Massive Crowd and Ticket Sales
The match saw an incredible number of spectators, showing the immense passion for women’s football in Ilam. According to the organizers, ticket sales alone amounted to NPR 1,579,000, highlighting the overwhelming support from the local fans.
Challenges in Ground Conditions
Despite the success of the tournament, there was some criticism directed at the organizers regarding the poor maintenance of the pitch. The field lacked proper grass coverage, increasing the risk of injury for players, many of whom represent Nepal at the national level. Additionally, the match faced slight disruptions due to bad weather conditions.
Nonetheless, the tournament was a great success, and APF FC once again proved their dominance in women’s football in Nepal.
Read about Nepal’s local tournament here.
