Nepali skipper Jamuna Gurung netted four goals for Nepal before interval as it achieved third victory in a row over Pakistan. Pramila Rai, Sajana Rana, Anu Lama and Deepa Adhikari contributed other goals for Nepal. [break]
Pramila and Sajana also scored for Nepal before half-time.
Jamuna put Nepal ahead in the ninth minute, netted second in the 32nd minute and completed her hat-trick two minutes later and achieved the target for the fourth goal a minute before the interval. Gurung was substituted in the second half.
Jamuna´s hat-trick turned to be the first hat-trick of the tournament and with her four goals she succeeded scoring 21 international goals for Nepal.
Earlier, Nepal had defeated Pakistan 7-0 during 11th South Asian Games in Bangladesh in 2010. Nine months later, Nepal had defeated Pakistan 12-0 during the first edition of SAFF Championship.
Nepal came up with an aggressive style of play from the beginning and Nepal succeeded to open score in the ninth minute when Jamuna´s strike deflected at a Pakistani defender before entering the net. Jamuna was supplied by Anu. A minute later, Pakistani gloves-woman Mahapara Shahid denied a brilliant header from Jamuna.
Nepal was 2-0 up by the 16th minute, after Pakistani custodian failed to deny a medium pace strike from Pramila. Nepal missed another scoring opportunity in the 24th minute after Sajana and Pramila´s simultaneous strikes rebounded off the pole and Niru Thapa hit inches wide of the pole.
Nepal widened its goal difference in the 32nd minute when skipper Jamuna´s powerful strike got the back of net. Two minutes later Jamuna achieved the first hat-trick of tournament after Pakistani custodian dropped Chandra Bhandari´s strike making the score 4-0.
Sajana made a powerful strike to stun goalie in the 42nd minute and Nepal reached half a dozen milestone one minute before the interval after Gurung volleyed in Deepa´s pass.
Nepal´s coach Kishor KC made some changes in the squad as he substituted Jamuna, Niru and Prmila at the second half fielding Laxmi Poudel, Anchali Waiba and Krishna Khatri.
Though Nepal failed gave continuity to its goal scoring tune in the second half, it came up beautiful style of play and good coordination.
Anu scored the seventh goal for Nepal in the 51st minute through a header in a brilliant pass from Deepa who sealed the comprehensive victory in the 72nd minute through a 20-yard strike.
Meanwhile, Pakistan made only post attempt during the first half. Shahida Rajja´s powerful striike was denied by a heroic save from Nepali custodian Chandra Devi Dahal.
Despite his side´s comprehensive win, Nepal´s coach KC was not satisfied with his team. "Our team´s performance was not up to the mark and we need to improve a lot," said KC adding, "There was no coordination between midfielders and forwards; defenders also could not play well. It was our first match and I hope to amend mistakes in the upcoming matches."
Pakistan´s coach Muhummod Rashid commented that his side easily came under pressure. "Nepal played very well. Our players looked wretched against the style and speed of the Nepali side," Rashid said.
Nepal will take on Maldives on Monday.
Afghanistan, Maldives Share point
Maldives was held to a 1-1 draw in the first match of Group B. Afghanistan took the driving seat in the very second minute. Hailai Argharndival opened the scoring for Afghanistan. Maldives hit back the equalizer through Riza Areesha in the 38th minute.
The remaining time of the match remained goalless despite attempts of both the teams to find the back of the net.
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