Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Sri Lanka defeated the Maldives 1-0 in its opening match of the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Friday.
Warnakulasuriya Imesha scored the only goal in the first match of Group ‘B’ to give Sri Lanka all three points. Imesha scored from a header after connecting to a beautiful pass from the left wing by Praveena Parera in the 18th minute.
Sri Lanka had the opportunity to score in the 7th minute. However, Tharmika Sivaneswaran failed to capitalize on the confusion between the Maldivian goalie and defenders in the six-yard box.
The Maldivian keeper also thwarted Imesha’s two efforts in the 33rd minute.
In the second half, Sri Lanka’s Pashkaran Sanu failed to score from the rebound after Maldives keeper Aniyath Leeza had saved Praveena’s shot.
Hosts Nepal taked on Bhutan in the second match of Group ‘B’ at 5:30 pm.
