Nepal Police Club’s hopes to progress into the Qualifier 1 of the ANFA Women’s League suffered a hammer blow after they were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Bagmati Youth Club in their second leg of the Super League match at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato, Lalitpur on Saturday.

The outcome leaves Police with 11 points from seven games in the five-team standings, three points adrift of second-placed Tribhuvan Army Club, who still have two games remaining.

Army have a relatively easier fixture against winless Waling Municipality on Sunday and will join defending champions Armed Police Force Club in the Qualifier 1 with a victory, which seems straightforward. APF sealed their place in Qualifier 1 on Friday with a commanding 10-0 win against Waling.

A win against Waling will take Army to 16 points from seven games, meaning Police will not be able to displace them from top two spot even if they beat APF in their last fixture of the Super League.

Meanwhile, the 0-0 draw provided a significant boost for Bagmati’s playoff ambitions. Should Army win against Waling on Sunday, it will also send Bagmati, who have four points, to the Eliminator.

The top two teams progress to the Qualifier 1, where the sides will battle for a direct berth in the final, set for January 29. The losing side of Qualifier 1 will face the winners of Eliminator—to be contested by third- and fourth-placed teams—for the remaining spot in the championship match.

The playoffs matches and the final will be held at the Dasharath Stadium.

Police had come off a demoralising last-minute 1-0 defeat to Army on Thursday and were under pressure to secure all three points. Despite being labelled favourites, their performance fell short, plagued by another lacklustre display and missed opportunities.

Bagmati’s organised defence kept Police at bay for most of the match.

Police’s first half-efforts were limited to a single long-range lob from Birsana Chaudhary, whose shot bounced in front of Bagmati goalkeeper Sujata Tamang and almost went in after the goalie fumbled initially. But Tamang recovered in time and denied Police captain Niru Thapa and Anuska Sherpa from pouncing on the loose ball.

Meanwhile, Bagmati looked happy to sit back and defend deep. They occasionally threatened on the counter but were unable to capitalise against the Police's defensive unit.

Police showed urgency after the interval and managed to create a clear-cut chance in the 62nd minute.

Skipper Thapa connected with a brilliant through ball by Puja Rana Magar, showed her deft footwork to maneuver past the last defender to enter the penalty area. However, Thapa hesitated, allowing Bagmati defenders to regroup. Thapa was then forced to lay the ball off to Rana Magar, whose powerful shot was parried away brilliantly by goalkeeper Tamang. The danger was still not clear for Bagmati as Rana Magar and Thapa found the rebound but could not take advantage.

Police’s another opportunity went begging two minutes later when Thapa set up Rana Magar inside the box two minutes later but Tamang produced another superb save to deny Police from taking the lead.

Police’s Sapana Thebe should have put Police in front in the 81st minute when a rare defensive lapse from Bagmati allowed Monika Pulami Magar’s cross to find her unmarked in front of the six yard box but Thebe ended up hitting a tame shot that filed to even trouble Bagmati’s Tamang.

Bagmati also had their moments a number of times but still went home happy after producing one of their most commendable performances in the league.