Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Bhutan recorded its biggest victory in women’s football by handing the Maldives a 13-0 defeat in the final group stage match of the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Thursday.
Sonam Choden opened the scoring for Bhutan in the 5th minute of the match. Pema Choden Tshering doubled the score two minutes later before hat-trick hero Deki Lhazom gave Bhutan a 3-0 lead in the 15th minute. Pema Choden Tshering got her second goal in the 18th minute, while Deki Lhazom scored her second one minute later. Namgyel Dema scored in the 41st minute to give Bhutan a 6-0 lead at halftime.
Lhazom completed her hat-trick within a minute of the restart and scored again in the 52nd and 70th minutes, taking her tally to five. Deki Yangden scored in the 47th minute, while Tshering Yangden got her brace in the 65th and 80th minutes, with Tshering Lhaden scoring in the 68th minute.
The Maldives had only two shots compared to Bhutan’s 19, all of which were on target.
Nepal will meet Sri Lanka in the last group stage match of Group ‘B’. Nepal needs to defeat Sri Lanka by a margin of five goals to finish ahead of Bhutan in the table.
Bangladesh and India have progressed to the semifinals from Group ‘A’ as the winner and runner-up, respectively.
