Nepal beat Iran to stay in contention for Hero Women's Gold Cup final
KATHMANDU: Nepal buoyed after defeating the hosts India, thrashed Iran 3-0 today to remain in fray for Hero Women's Gold Cup title showdown at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
After defeating Iran, Nepal have accumulated six points from three matches, and their hopes of making into the final hinge in the game between the hosts and Myanmar later this evening.
Nepal's midfielder Anita Basnet opened the scoring with a stunning volley from the tight angle in the 41st minute in the first half. In the second half, in-form striker Sabitra Bhandari scored two goals to give an unaccessible lead over Iran to seal an empathic victory.
After the restart, Nepal's pressing game paid off dividend as Bhandari beat the offside trap to score a simple tap in an unguarded net.
Sublime Bhandari notched her brace in the dying minutes of the second half with a stunning long-range pile driver which nestled into the far corner beyond the full stretch dive of Iran custodian.
Earlier, Nepal had lost to Myanmar 3-0 before defeating the host 2-1 in a crucial encounter.
Nepal will qualify if India lose or draw against Myanmar later this evening. However, If India come up with identical results, all the three teams will be loggerhead on six points, the team with best goal difference will advance to the final of the tournament.
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