By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Nepal National Women’s Football Team defeated Bhutan National Women’s Football Team by 4-0 in the inaugural match of SAFF Women’s Championship.
Sabitra Bhandari (Samba) and Anita Basnet scored a brace each on a rainy evening at Dashrath Stadium. Nepal took an early lead through Samba in the 12th minute of the match. Samba netted in an empty post after Bhutanese goalkeeper Sangita Monger collided with debutant Amisha Karki while attempting to clear the ball.
Samba doubled Nepal’s lead in the 68th minute. She collected second half substitute Rekha Paudel’s through ball with a well timed run and shot it beneath Monger to put Nepal two ahead.
Anita opened her account in the 73rd minute with a sublime strike. Anita dribbled past three defenders from the left byline and smashed the ball from outside the box. Later, Anita put icing on the cake with a cool finish after goalkeeper’s error led to the goal in the 85th minute of the match. Anita was adjudged the Player of the Match.
With the win, Nepal added its first 3 points in the championship. Nepal will play its second group stage match with Sri Lanka on September 12. Two matches are scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday). India will take on Pakistan at 1 PM and Bangladesh will face Maldives at 5:30 PM. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals. The final is scheduled for 19th September.
Tournament Details : SAFF Women’s Championship 2022
