Nepal thrash Bhutan 8-0 in SAFF Women's Championship

KATHMANDU: Nepal on Monday thrashed Bhutan 8-0 in their first match of the fourth SAFF Women's Championship, in Siliguri, India.

Sabitra Bhandari scored five goals today. She also set two goals for Sharmila Thapa while the final goal was scored by Krishna Khatri in the 90th minute.

Nepal were 5-0 ahead by the end of the first half with Bhandari's goals in 5th, 23rd and 35th minutes. She had arranged scoring opportunities for Thapa in 9th and 26th minutes.*

In the second half, Bhandari added two more goals in 72nd and 77th minutes.

Krishna Khatri also made a score in the final minute of the regular time.

Nepal's Sabitra Bhandari dribbles past a Bhutanese player during the Fourth Women's SAFF Championship, in Siliguri of India, on Monday, December 26, 2016. Photo: ANFA
Nepal's Sabitra Bhandari dribbles past a Bhutanese player during the Fourth Women's SAFF Championship, in Siliguri of India, on Monday, December 26, 2016. Photo: ANFA

Meanwhile, Nepal’s head coach Kumar Thapa said he was happy with the win.

“The scoreline is very convincing and I am happy. Bhutan are not a bad team, but things did not go their way today. Our forward line was good and we got the deserving result,” said Thapa.

He also said that this match would be a great boost for upcoming matches.

Nepal are drawn in Group ‘A’ along with Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan; while defending Champions India are pooled with Bangladesh and Afghanistan in Group ‘B’.

Nepal will face the Maldives on Wednesday and Sri Lanka on Friday.

The semifinal matches will be played on January 2 and the final is scheduled for January 4.

*Corrected and updated