Nepal registered a stunning 11-0 victory over Maldives in the Women’s SAFF Championship 2024 at the Dasharath Stadium on Monday, solidifying their position at the top of Group ‘B’. This emphatic win, featuring hat-tricks from Rekha Poudal and Preeti Rai, has brought Nepal one step closer to the knockout stage.
With this victory, Nepal now leads the group with four points from two matches, narrowly edging past Bhutan, who also has four points, based on goal difference. Sri Lanka is placed third with three points, while Maldives remains at the bottom with no points. This defeat eliminates Maldives from the tournament.
Nepal will now face Sri Lanka in their final group-stage match, while Bhutan will meet Maldives.
Rekha Poudal’s Five-Goal Brilliance
Rekha Poudal put on a spectacular performance, scoring five goals for Nepal. Her goals came in the 32nd, 42nd, 48th, 63rd, and 77th minutes, marking one of the standout individual displays of the tournament.
Similarly, Preeti Rai shone with a hat-trick, scoring in the 6th, 65th, and 87th minutes. The remaining three goals came from Sabita Rana Magar (29′), Anita KC (68′), and Amisha Karki (88′).
Debut for Sajni Thokar
Sajni Thokar made her debut for Nepal in this match, adding a memorable moment to the game. Meanwhile, Sabitra Bhandari, who arrived from France just the day before, was not required to enter the field.
Nepal Eyes Semi-Final Berth
With this commanding win, Nepal looks forward to maintaining their lead in Group ‘B’ when they take on Sri Lanka in their last group match. A win or draw will secure Nepal’s place in the semi-finals.
Stay tuned as Nepal continues its quest for glory in the Women’s SAFF Championship 2024!