Yujal Shrestha, ANFA Media
March 20, 2019 - Nepal produced an empathic second half display as Punam Jargha Magar and Rekha Poudel scored their first international goal in thumping 4-0 win over Sri Lanka in the first SAFF Women’s Championship semifinal.
Nepal will face the winner of the second semifinal between India and Bangladesh later in the day.
Nepal started better, creating the openings in 11th minute with Skipper Niru Thapa going close from Anita Basnet’s left corner, for her top bar header to miss the target.
Nepal frontlines all combined to score a simply brilliant goal before just four minutes to half time.
Gita Rana found Skipper Niru Thapa with a delicious free kick and the skipper, sprinkled in a brilliant bit of pass-work with an overhead kick intending to find Sabitra Bhandari a header, but Punam Jargha Magar unsurprisingly applied the finish in the 42nd minute of the match.
Nepal desperately searched for a goal earlier in the first half but their efforts were in vain.
Anita Basnet doubled the home side’s lead with a smart finish from Rekha Poudel’s pass in the 73rd minute.
In the 82nd minute, Sabitra Bhandari provided the third finish for flowing Nepal.
Anita Basnet’s delivery from the right flank was headed in at the near post by Sabitra Bhandari.
Rekha Poudel in the 86th minute sealed the win as Nepal made it back-back victories in the championship without conceding a goal.
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