KATHMANDU, Dec 28: Nepali Women's National Football Team defeated the Maldives 9-0 in its second match of the ongoing Women's SAFF Championship on Wednesday.

Sabitra Bhandari scored five goals for Nepal at 12, 28, 39, 50 and 63 minutes of the match.Manjali Yonjan, Sapana Malla, Hira Kumari Bhujel and Nirmala BK netted a goal each at 52, 71, 74 and 93 minute respectively.

Earlier on Monday, Bhandari had achieved a rare feat of double hat-trick in the opening match of the championship to register a 8-0 win over Bhutan. 

Nepal stands at the top in the group standings with two wins out of two while Maldives are second in the table. Sri Lanka, who defeated Bhutan by 2-0 in the previous match of the day are third. Bhutan are rock bottom with two losses in a row.

Head Coach Kumar Thapa was happy with the win and said the team is not going to stop here.

“We came with a target to win the tournament and we are paving our way to that. This 9-0 win is a convincing one but we are not going over the moon just yet. We have our feet on the ground and we know what we are yet to face.”, said Thapa.

“We have one more match with us and I have used all my players bar a goalie. So I know what my squad depth is and we need to make use of one extra match we have in comparison to our semi final opponent”, added Thapa.

Striker Sabitra Bhandari was happy to get her name on the scoresheet and said the team will work even harder for coming matches.

“We came here for Gold and we have only that in our mind. The team is working their socks off and I am sure that will come with our progression.”, said Bhandari.

 
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