AFC Asian Cup Qualifier: Nepal scores 8 goals against Sri Lanka with Sabitra’s hat-trick

Kathmandu – In the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, Nepal achieved a commanding 8-0 victory over Sri Lanka. Captain Sabitra Bhandari was pivotal in this success, securing a hat-trick for the second consecutive match, helping Nepal maintain its dominant winning streak.

Nepal established a 4-0 lead by halftime and added another four goals in the second half. Sabitra Bhandari, known as Samba, scored a hat-trick in the first half, and Geeta Rana Magar contributed another goal. Geeta opened the scoring for Nepal in the 12th minute, and Sabitra doubled the lead in the 20th minute.

Samba netted her second personal and the team’s third goal in the 42nd minute, completing a first-half hat-trick during injury time, giving Nepal a solid 4-0 lead. This match marked Sabitra’s 64th goal in her 60th appearance for the national team.

Nepal continued their dominance in the second half. Geeta Rana scored her second goal from a penalty in the 54th minute, extending the lead to 5-0. Eight minutes later, Nisha Thokar added another with a header, taking the tally to six.

Nepal’s scoring spree didn’t end there. Substitute Rekha Paudel scored with a header, making it 7-0, followed by Pooja Rana, who netted her first career goal for the national team, sealing the final score at 8-0. Nepal will face the host team Uzbekistan in their final qualifying match, which will be decisive for their campaign.